Here's a breakdown:

* Protein synthesis is the process of creating new proteins from amino acids. This is essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues and cells.

* Protein degradation is the process of breaking down proteins into their individual amino acids. This is necessary for removing damaged or unnecessary proteins and providing amino acids for other processes.

These two processes occur constantly in the body, ensuring a balance of protein levels and allowing for the adaptation of cellular function to changing needs.