Proteinoids are a type of chemical that are made up of small molecules called amino acids. Amino acids are like little building blocks that can be put together in different ways to make different things. When you put amino acids together in a special way, they can form proteinoids!
Proteinoids are special because they can do some things that are really important. For example, they can form little bubbles called vesicles that can hold other things inside of them. These vesicles are kind of like tiny little containers that can keep things safe and protected.
Scientists think that proteinoids might have been important in the very beginning of life on Earth, because they can form on their own without any help from living things. In fact, scientists have been able to make proteinoids in the laboratory by mixing together the right kinds of amino acids in the right conditions.
Overall, proteinoids are really cool chemicals that can do neat things and have a special role in the history of life on our planet!