Definition

A type of compound made up of two or more amino acids that are connected together. These compounds can be found in nature or made artificially and are important in biology.

Example

Insulin is a peptide that helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a peptide?

Yeah, I think it's something to do with proteins, right?

Exactly! They're formed by linking amino acids together to make peptides.

That's really interesting! I didn't know they were so important in our bodies.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Peptide → It is formed from "pept-" (from Greek "peptein", meaning to digest) and the suffix "-ide" (used in chemistry to denote a particular type of compound). The word "peptide" refers to a compound that is formed from the digestion or linking of amino acids.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pept-' meaning 'to digest' — this helps you remember that a peptide is a compound formed from the digestion or linking of amino acids.

Visually Confused Words