What is the primary function of proteins in the body?

The primary function of proteins in the body is to build and repair tissues throughout the body. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks necessary for the growth and maintenance of muscles, organs, skin, and other bodily structures. This function is crucial because proteins are involved in a variety of processes that are essential for proper bodily function, including the formation of enzymes and hormones, as well as immune responses.

While proteins can serve multiple roles, their most fundamental and vital purpose is tissue construction and recovery. This involves not only the development of new tissues but also the repair of muscles and other proteins following injury or strain. In contrast, energy storage, hormone signaling, and genetic information storage are more accurately associated with fats, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, respectively. Thus, the role of proteins as structural and functional components in the body's tissues is what establishes them as essential for overall health and physiological integrity.