Question

What is meant by peptide linkage and biocatalysts?

Answer 1

A peptide linkage is formed by dehydration synthesis reaction also known as a condensation reaction and usually occurs between amino acids. Biocatalysts are substances that activate or speed up biochemical reactions.

Complete-step- by- step answer:
A. The amide linkage (-CO-NH-) developed between two molecules of alpha-amino acid; with the loss of water molecules in a polypeptide is called peptide linkage. The chemical bond between the carboxyl groups and amino groups that unites a peptide. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are joined by peptide linkages.

B. Biocatalyst can be defined as the natural substances that initiate or modify the chemical reaction rates in living systems. The natural substances can be one or more enzymes or cells. An enzyme is simply a protein catalyst. An enzyme catalyzes a biochemical reaction by providing an alternative lower path of activation while increasing the biochemical reaction rate.

Additional Information:
a) When one more molecule of amino acid combines with dipeptide, it forms tripeptide. In this way it forms tetra, penta, etc and ultimately a polypeptide chain is formed. Proteins are basically polypeptides.
b) A number of reactions that occur in the bodies of animals and plants to maintain the process are catalysed by enzymes. The enzymes are thus termed as biocatalysts.

Note: Peptide bond or peptide linkage is an amide formed between –COOH and group and amino acids which may be similar or different combine together to form peptide linkage.