Sometimes these are also considered members of the immediate family, depending on an individual's specific relationship. In most societies, the family is the principal institution for the socialization of children.
Nucleic acids also typically contain phosphorous, and nitrogen plays an important structural role in nucleic acids and proteins. The proteins, being made up a diverse set of amino acids, have, in addition to carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, the elements sulfur and selenium. It is incredible the complex array of macromolecules that can be built starting with these simple elements. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Amino Acid Properties. Amino acids are the basic structural units of proteins. An alpha-amino acid consists of an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive R group bonded to a carbon atom, which is called the alpha-carbon because it is adjacent to the carboxyl (acidic) group.