Concept:
Enzymes are biological catalysts made primarily of protein chains.
• Proteins are long-chain polymers of amino acids.
• The linkage between individual amino acids is highly specific and stable.
Step 1: The Chemistry of the Linkage.
Each amino acid has an amino group (\( -NH_2 \)) and a carboxyl group (\( -COOH \)).
When two amino acids join, the carboxyl group of one reacts with the amino group of the other.
Step 2: Formation of the Peptide Bond.
This reaction is a condensation (dehydration) reaction, as a water molecule is released.
The resulting covalent bond between the Carbon and Nitrogen atom (\( C-N \)) is called a peptide bond.
Multiple such bonds form a polypeptide chain, which then folds into a functional enzyme.