Peptides
In short
Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by chemical bonds. They act as vital building blocks and messengers within living organisms.
In plain words
Think of amino acids as single beads. A peptide is a short string of these beads. When the string becomes very long, it is called a protein.
A simple example
A dipeptide is a tiny chain made of just two amino acids. An oligopeptide is a slightly longer chain containing fewer than twenty amino acids.
Why it matters
They are essential for cell signalling and regulating many bodily functions. Scientists use them to develop new medicines and skin care treatments.
Easy to mix up
People often confuse peptides with proteins, but peptides are simply the much smaller versions of proteins.