What type of bond is formed between amino acids?

A covalent bond is formed between amino acids during the process of protein synthesis. Specifically, the bond is a peptide bond, which is a specialized type of covalent bond that occurs when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another. This reaction releases a molecule of water, a process known as dehydration synthesis.

Covalent bonds are characterized by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, which provide a stable connection essential for the structure of proteins. Proteins are vital macromolecules in biological systems, and the sequence and number of amino acids linked by peptide bonds determine the structure and function of the protein.

Understanding that peptide bonds are covalent helps clarify their strength and stability compared to other types of bonds, like ionic or hydrogen bonds, which play different roles in molecular interactions and structures. While disulfide bonds, another type of covalent bond, can contribute to protein structure by linking cysteine residues, the primary linkage between amino acids during the formation of proteins is through peptide bonds, a form of covalent bond.