peptide
UK: ˈpɛptaɪd | US: ˈpɛptaɪd
n. A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, forming a basic structural unit of proteins.
peptide = pept<digest> + ide<chemical compound>
- pept<digest>: Derived from Greek peptós (digested), related to péptein (to digest). Reflects the breakdown or formation of protein components.
- ide<chemical compound>: A suffix used in chemistry to denote compounds, often derived from Greek -idēs (related to).
Etymology Origin:
The term "peptide" originates from early 20th-century biochemistry, combining Greek pept- (digestion) with -ide (a chemical suffix). It reflects the scientific understanding of protein fragments produced during digestion or synthesis. The word’s structure mirrors its function—linking digestion (pept-) to molecular chemistry (-ide).
The lab synthesized a new peptide to study its effects on cell growth.
Peptide bonds are crucial for forming the backbone of proteins.
Researchers identified a bioactive peptide in the plant extract.
This skincare product contains collagen peptides for hydration.
Enzymes break down proteins into smaller peptides during digestion.