A peptide bond is a covalent bond that forms between two amino acids during protein synthesis. It occurs when the amino group (-NH₂) of one amino acid reacts with the carboxyl group (-COOH) of another amino acid, releasing a molecule of water (H₂O). This process is called dehydration synthesis.
Example: Formation of a peptide bond in dipeptide:
H₂N-CH(R)-COOH + H₂N-CH(R’)-COOH → H₂N-CH(R)-CO-NH-CH(R’)-COOH + H₂O