Amino acids are linked together to form what type of biological macromolecule?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential macromolecules in biological systems. When amino acids are linked together through peptide bonds, they undergo a process called translation, forming polypeptides that fold into specific three-dimensional structures to become functional proteins. These proteins play critical roles in a variety of biological processes including catalyzing metabolic reactions (as enzymes), facilitating communication between cells (as hormones), and providing structural support (in muscle and connective tissues).

Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are formed from nucleotides rather than amino acids. Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules made up of sugar monomers, and lipids are primarily composed of fatty acids and glycerol, which are distinct from amino acids. Thus, the linkage of amino acids specifically results in the formation of proteins, highlighting their unique and vital function in the biology of living organisms.