Final answer:
Dehydration synthesis or condensation synthesis describes the process of forming peptide bonds between amino acids to build a polypeptide, where a water molecule is released, and a covalent peptide bond is formed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of peptide bonds between amino acids to build a polypeptide is commonly referred to as dehydration synthesis or condensation synthesis. During this biochemical reaction, the amino group of one amino acid reacts with the carboxylic group of another, leading to the release of a water molecule and the formation of a peptide bond, which is a type of covalent bond. This process can repeat, adding more amino acids to the growing chain to form polypeptides, which can eventually fold and function as proteins. Polypeptides with a high number of amino acids, unique shape, and specific function are usually classified as proteins.