Final answer:
Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds formed through dehydration synthesis, where a water molecule is released. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and when these chains lengthen and become complex, they create proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amino acids are joined by dehydration synthesis and linked by a peptide bond. During this process, the carboxyl group of one amino acid bonds to the amino group of the next, resulting in the release of a water molecule. This connection forms a covalent bond known as a peptide bond and is an essential part of protein synthesis.
A peptide itself is a very short chain of amino acids, with different types such as dipeptides, tripeptides, oligopeptides, and polypeptides, depending on the number of amino acids involved. When these chains grow longer and complex, often involving multiple polypeptides, they are referred to as proteins. Proteins are vital for various biological functions due to their diverse structures, dictated by the sequence and number of amino acids.