What is the term for the covalent bond formed between amino acids?

The covalent bond formed between amino acids is known as a peptide bond. This type of bond specifically occurs during the process of protein synthesis when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, resulting in the release of a molecule of water. This process is known as dehydration synthesis. The formation of peptide bonds is essential for creating polypeptides and proteins, which are crucial for numerous biological functions.

In the context of amino acids, peptide bonds create chains that can fold into complex structures, allowing for the functionality of proteins. Each unique sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds determines the structure and function of a corresponding protein.

Other types of bonds mentioned, such as disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds, play important roles in the stability and structure of proteins but are not involved in the initial formation of the chains of amino acids. Disulfide bonds provide stability between cysteine residues through the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, hydrogen bonds often contribute to the secondary structure of proteins (like alpha helices and beta sheets), and ionic bonds can influence the tertiary structure by holding together charged side chains. However, these bonds do not serve as the primary linkage between individual amino acids in a growing polypeptide