How do conjugated proteins differ from simple proteins?

Conjugated proteins are distinguished by their composition, as they consist of both amino acid components and additional non-peptide components known as prosthetic groups. These non-peptide elements can be various types of molecules, including carbohydrates (in glycoproteins), lipids (in lipoproteins), metal ions (in metalloproteins), or other organic molecules. This incorporation of non-amino acid components plays a crucial role in the protein's function, stability, and activity.

In contrast, simple proteins are composed solely of amino acids and do not include any additional non-peptide components, which limits their functional versatility compared to conjugated proteins.

The size variation isn’t a defining factor since conjugated proteins can be larger than simple proteins, but that is not a rule. Additionally, conjugated proteins are not confined to a single type of organism; they are found in various life forms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms, making the notion that they are only found in plants inaccurate.