How many elements make up proteins?

How many elements make up proteins?

• A. 4
• B. 5
• C. 6
• D. 7

Answer: (C)

Proteins are built from amino acids, which bring together several elements. The main elements you’ll find are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Sulfur is present in some amino acids (like cysteine and methionine), making sulfur a common additional element in proteins. Phosphorus appears in phosphate groups attached to proteins in many regulatory or signaling proteins, so it can also be found in proteins. Taken together, the elements that can make up proteins are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. That’s why six elements are counted.

Proteins are built from amino acids, which bring together several elements. The main elements you’ll find are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Sulfur is present in some amino acids (like cysteine and methionine), making sulfur a common additional element in proteins. Phosphorus appears in phosphate groups attached to proteins in many regulatory or signaling proteins, so it can also be found in proteins. Taken together, the elements that can make up proteins are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. That’s why six elements are counted.