Individual amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds , which are a specific type of covalent amide bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. This bond is created through a dehydration synthesis (condensation) reaction, where a molecule of water is released as the bond forms. The resulting linkage is −CO−NH−, connecting amino acids into chains called polypeptides or proteins
. In summary:
- The bond linking amino acids is called a peptide bond.
- It is an amide covalent bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next.
- The formation involves the removal of water (dehydration synthesis).
- Peptide bonds provide the primary structure of proteins.
This peptide bond is planar and has partial double-bond character due to resonance, which contributes to the rigidity and stability of protein structures
