How many amino acids are proteins made from?

Proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids that are the building blocks for forming various proteins in the body. Each amino acid plays a unique role in the structure and function of proteins, contributing to processes such as muscle repair, enzyme function, and hormone synthesis.

These 20 amino acids can be categorized into two groups: essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids must be obtained through diet because the body cannot produce them, while non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the body. The diversity of these 20 amino acids allows for the vast array of protein structures and functions necessary for life. Other numbers you might find, such as 10, 15, or 25, either refer to subsets of amino acids under specific contexts or are simply not accurate in describing the total number of amino acids that compose proteins.