BRAINCAKEPeptides and Proteins
The amine group of one amino acid can react with the carboxylic acid group of another in a condensation reaction, eliminating a molecule of water. The new -CONH- group joining them is called a peptide link (it is an amide link).
H2NCH2COOH + H2NCH(CH3)COOH → H2NCH2CONHCH(CH3)COOH + H2O
Two amino acids joined together make a dipeptide. Because the product still has a free -NH2 at one end and a free -COOH at the other, more amino acids can join. Many joined together make a polypeptide, and a protein is one or more polypeptide chains folded into a specific shape. The sequence of amino acids in a chain is the primary structure.
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More in Amines, Amides, Amino Acids and Proteins
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- Reactions of Amines with Acids and Acyl Chlorides
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- Amino Acids
- Zwitterions and Isoelectric Points
- Chromatography of Amino Acids
All 12 lessons in Amines, Amides, Amino Acids and Proteins · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics