Polypeptide: meaning, definitions and examples
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polypeptide
[ ˌpɒl.iˈpaɪt ]
biochemistry
A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Polypeptides are shorter than proteins, typically consisting of 10 to 100 amino acids. They play crucial roles in biological processes such as enzyme catalysis, cell signaling, and structure formation.
Synonyms
oligopeptide, peptide chain, protein fragment
Examples of usage
- Insulin is a polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas.
- The polypeptide chain folds into a specific 3D structure to perform its function.
Translations
Translations of the word "polypeptide" in other languages:
🇵🇹 polipeptídeo
🇮🇳 पॉलीपेप्टाइड
🇩🇪 Polypeptid
🇮🇩 polipeptida
🇺🇦 поліпептид
🇵🇱 polipeptyd
🇯🇵 ポリペプチド
🇫🇷 polypeptide
🇪🇸 polipéptido
🇹🇷 polipeptit
🇰🇷 폴리펩타이드
🇸🇦 عديد الببتيد
🇨🇿 polypeptid
🇸🇰 polypeptid
🇨🇳 多肽
🇸🇮 polipeptid
🇮🇸 fjölspeptíð
🇰🇿 полипептид
🇬🇪 პოლიპეპტიდი
🇦🇿 polipeptid
🇲🇽 polipéptido
Word origin
The term 'polypeptide' was first coined in the early 20th century to describe chains of amino acids that were shorter than proteins. As research in biochemistry advanced, the importance of polypeptides in biological functions became increasingly clear. Today, polypeptides are studied extensively for their roles in health, disease, and drug development.
See also: oligopeptide.