What class of nutrients is composed of amino acids?

The class of nutrients that is composed of amino acids is proteins. Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They are made up of smaller units called amino acids, which are linked together in various sequences to form different proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that can combine in countless ways to create the diverse range of proteins needed for biological functions, including enzyme activity, structural support in cells, transport of molecules, and immunity.

Amino acids are referred to as the building blocks of proteins, as they are the fundamental components that define the structure and function of protein molecules. This relationship is crucial because the characteristics and roles of a protein in an organism depend on the specific order and nature of its amino acids.

In contrast, carbohydrates are composed of sugar molecules, fats (or lipids) are made of fatty acids and glycerol, and vitamins are organic compounds that are needed in small amounts for various biochemical functions but do not consist of amino acids.