Peptides
Peptides
Peptides (pronounced: /ˈpeɪˌtaɪdz/) are short chains of amino acid residues linked by peptide bonds. They are a fundamental component of cells that carry out important biological functions.
Etymology
The term "peptide" comes from the Greek word "πεπτός" (peptos), meaning "digested", derived from "πέσσειν" (pessein), "to digest".
Structure
Peptides are distinguished from proteins on the basis of size, and as a benchmark can be understood to contain approximately 50 or fewer amino acids. Peptides are formed by the linking of one or more amino acids with a carboxyl group of one being joined to an amino group of another with the elimination of a molecule of water, hence the name peptide.
Classification
Peptides are classified by the number of amino acids present in the molecule. Dipeptides have two amino acids, tripeptides have three, and so on. Polypeptides are long, continuous, and unbranched peptide chains. Proteins consist of one or more polypeptides arranged in a biologically functional way, often bound to ligands such as coenzymes and cofactors.
Functions
Peptides have a wide range of functions in the body, some act as neurotransmitters and others like hormones. Many control and influence how our bodies react to diet and physical exercise. Some peptides occur naturally in the body and others are made in a lab.
Related Terms
- Amino Acid
- Peptide Bond
- Protein
- Carboxyl Group
- Amino Group
- Ligand
- Coenzyme
- Cofactor
- Neurotransmitter
- Hormone
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Peptides
- Wikipedia's article - Peptides
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