In the book Grace says that it's a mess of proteins and molecules that he gives up on trying to understand
>mess of proteins and molecules
Because proteins famously aren't molecules.
be nice
This is a legitimate, understandable way to discuss a mixture of abstract and specific things. This is a novel we are referring to, here. The intended audience is very, very broad.
> Because proteins famously aren't molecules.
Tertiary and quaternary protein structures are much more complex than molecules and have emergent properties.
People refer to stuff like proteins as “biologics” and to things we synthesize traditionally as “small molecules” so it does make sense