The Key Players:
* Amino Acids: These are the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid has a central carbon atom attached to:
* An amino group (-NH2)
* A carboxyl group (-COOH)
* A hydrogen atom (-H)
* A side chain (R-group) that varies between different amino acids.
The Process:
1. Water Removal: A water molecule (H2O) is removed from the reacting molecules.
2. Peptide Bond Formation: The carboxyl group (-COOH) of one amino acid reacts with the amino group (-NH2) of another amino acid.
* The -OH from the carboxyl group and the -H from the amino group combine to form water (H2O).
* This leaves a peptide bond (C-N) linking the two amino acids together.
Specifically:
* Carboxyl Group (-COOH) of one amino acid
* Amino Group (-NH2) of another amino acid
Outcome:
The removal of water creates a dipeptide (two amino acids linked together). This process can continue, adding more amino acids to form a polypeptide chain and eventually a complete protein.
