Scientific reference1 min
What is a peptide?
How amino acids join to form a peptide.
Amino acids and peptide bonds
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. A peptide bond joins the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of the next. Longer amino-acid chains are called polypeptides; proteins also consist of amino-acid chains.
What the name tells you
Peptide is a chemical category. To find out whether a particular peptide is effective or safe, look at research on that exact compound and the use being discussed.
Cells, animals and people
Check what a study actually tested: isolated cells, animals or people. A finding in an animal experiment may not hold in humans.
Follow the sources
- 1IUPAC Gold Book: peptides Scientific terminology
- 2NHGRI Genetics Glossary: Peptide NIH educational reference
- 3MedlinePlus: Understanding Medical Research NIH/NLM educational guidance