Tag: Lipids vs proteins

Proteins stand apart from carbohydrates and lipids due to one key elemental difference: they always contain nitrogen. This fundamental distinction in composition is the basis for their unique structure, which in turn enables them to perform a vast array of specialized functions within the body.

According to the National Institutes of Health, proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, such as providing structure and catalyzing metabolic reactions. Yet, despite both being essential for life, lipids and proteins are fundamentally different classes of biological molecules and lipids are not considered proteins.