Final Answer:
Before the joining process, two separate amino acids with distinct amino (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups exist. After the formation of a peptide bond through dehydration synthesis, a dipeptide is produced, linking the carbon of one amino acid to the nitrogen of the other and eliminating a water molecule in the process. This represents a fundamental step in the synthesis of proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of joining two amino acids to form a dipeptide involves a fundamental biochemical reaction known as dehydration synthesis. Before this union, each amino acid possesses distinct functional groups. Amino acids consist of an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). In the initial stage, the amino group of one amino acid reacts with the carboxyl group of the other. This reaction results in the formation of a peptide bond, a covalent bond that links the carbon of one amino acid to the nitrogen of the other.
Crucially, dehydration synthesis accompanies this bond formation. During this step, a water molecule (H2O) is removed from the reacting amino acids. The removal of water is vital for the synthesis of larger biomolecules, such as proteins. The water molecule is formed by combining the oxygen from the carboxyl group and one hydrogen from the amino group.
The outcome of this process is a dipeptide, a molecule composed of two amino acids linked by a peptide bond. This dipeptide represents a basic building block in the formation of proteins. Proteins, essential components of living organisms, are composed of one or more polypeptide chains, each constructed from a series of amino acids linked together through peptide bonds. Therefore, the joining of two amino acids to form a dipeptide is a crucial step in the intricate and highly regulated process of protein synthesis, contributing to the diverse functions and structures of proteins in biological systems.