To which nutrient group do amino acids belong?

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid contains an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a distinctive side chain, which determines its specific properties and role in protein structure and function. Proteins are essential macromolecules involved in nearly every biological process, including enzyme activity, structural roles in cells and tissues, and immune response.

When proteins are consumed, they are broken down into their constituent amino acids during digestion, allowing the body to utilize these building blocks to form new proteins necessary for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. The classification of amino acids under the protein nutrient group emphasizes their fundamental role in the structure and functionality of proteins within biological systems.

The other nutrient groups listed—carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins—serve different roles in nutrition and metabolism, focusing on energy provision and essential biochemical functions, which is why amino acids are distinctively categorized under proteins.