Wisconsin Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What are amino acids?

1. Simple sugars that are used by the body.

2. Compounds that form proteins when joined together.

3. Vitamins that boost the immune system.

4. Minerals that facilitate enzyme reactions.

The correct answer is: Compounds that form proteins when joined together.

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They are crucial for many bodily functions, including the synthesis of proteins that play roles in cell structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. When amino acids join together in chains through peptide bonds, they form polypeptides, which fold into specific three-dimensional shapes to create proteins. Each protein has a unique sequence of amino acids, which determines its specific function in the body. In this context, the other options do not accurately describe amino acids. Simple sugars are carbohydrates that provide energy but do not form proteins. Vitamins are organic compounds essential for various biological functions, including boosting the immune system, but are not classified as amino acids, while minerals are inorganic substances that support enzyme function but do not combine to form amino acids or proteins. Thus, the choice that defines amino acids as compounds that form proteins when joined together is accurate and reflects their fundamental role in biochemistry.