Question

What are polypeptides? Explain with example.

Hint:

Polypeptides fold into specific shapes that determine their function in the body, such as enzymes, hormones, or structural proteins.

Answer 1

Polypeptides are long chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Each peptide bond forms between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next. The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide determines its three-dimensional structure and its biological function. Polypeptides can vary in length from just a few amino acids to hundreds or thousands.
An example of a polypeptide is insulin, a hormone involved in glucose regulation. Insulin consists of two polypeptide chains: one with 21 amino acids and the other with 30 amino acids. These chains are linked by disulfide bonds, and they fold into a specific structure that allows insulin to bind to its receptor and regulate glucose metabolism in cells.