Tag: Cellular building blocks

According to the NIH, after a protein-rich meal, your body’s digestive system breaks down the complex protein structures into their individual components. When a protein is digested, which of the following is produced? The end result is a collection of individual amino acids, the fundamental building blocks of all protein.

Every living cell, from a plant's leaf to a fish's fin, contains nucleic acids. This means that every time a human eats a living organism, they are consuming nucleic acids. While not classified as an essential nutrient, these compounds are a natural and unavoidable part of a complete diet.

Every living cell, from the smallest bacteria to the most complex human, contains proteins that perform a myriad of vital functions. All proteins, no matter their specific role, are composed of the same fundamental building blocks: a sequence of amino acids. This common foundation is what gives rise to the incredible diversity and complexity of life's essential machinery.

Over 90% of the food we consume is broken down into glucose, amino acids, or fatty acids. But what is the difference between glucose and amino acids, and how do their roles diverge within the body? Understanding these distinct molecules is key to grasping how your body fuels itself and builds new tissues.