What is a Peptide Bond Anyway?
Disclaimer: All references to "research subjects" or "test subjects" or and reference to "research" throughout this article refer to research conducted on non human non veterinary research subjects such as rats and mice.
Peptide Bonds… What are They?
If you’ve ever done any research on skin care, anti-aging, or any sort of new form of biotechnology, then chances are you’ve come across the word “peptide” many times before. But what exactly is a peptide? What is a peptide bond? We’re going to be answering these questions and much more in the following paragraphs.
Amino Action
Before we’re able to accurately explain exactly what a peptide bond is, we must first dive into the wonderful world of amino acids. There are about 20 amino acids which are utilized in almost all organisms on this beautiful planet, including but not limited to:
- Arginine
- Cysteine
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Valine
- Phenylalanine
- And so many more!
A good rule of thumb for amino acids is if it ends in “ine” and it is a chemical… it’s more than likely an amino acid! These amino acids form groups upon groups and become functional in many different ways. When amino acids bond, carboxylic acid functional groups in amino acids join together and they form an amide or peptide bond. DNA provides the instructions for a mRNA molecule, which then grabs and combines various amino acids in its environment to form peptides!
What’s so Special About Peptide Bonds?
People often have issues researching the difference between DNA and peptides. A peptide bond is an exchange of information between the amino acid and a functional group of an existing protein. This is an important exchange because the information passed on is not dissimilar to a set of blueprints, or building materials. The mRNA is in charge of reading another set of instructions to build the peptide. So don’t confuse peptide bonds with DNA! The difference is as follows: A DNA molecule is a list of instructions for how a protein or peptide should be assembled, but a peptide is the assembly of multiple amino acids joined by peptide bonds to fit the instructions. These peptide bonds are built to last, or break apart during a specific event.
Why Does Life Use Peptides?
Peptides have so many different jobs! In the common Rock Pocket Mouse which dominates the North American deserts, there exists a specific gene on its DNA. The Mc1r gene is responsible for the regulation or lack thereof, of the “Melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor” which is in itself a form of peptide. This peptide has a very important job that determines whether or not the mouse will actually survive. If the receptor is activated, then it produces a pigment which changes the Rock Pocket’s fur into a dark color. This allows the mouse to blend into volcanic soil or dense vegetation. If the receptor peptide is not activated, then the mouse’s fur will remain a light color, perfect for blending into the warm light sand. You can see how much trouble the mouse may be in if it’s dark fur were to show up on the light sandy desert. It would be buzzard food!
Peptide Powered
Whether or not we completely understand it, life is peptide powered! Every biomechanical action which takes place inside any living organism, anywhere, uses peptides to complete the action. To understand each individual reaction, mechanic, and how they all fit together would take several lifetimes. But, if you’d like to begin experimentation early we recommend using Swole Peptides. This website has everything you need to start your journey in chemical research! Who knows, you may find the key to everything humanity has waited for! Start your world saving, genius research today.