Tag: Peptides vs amino acids

The human body relies on 20 standard amino acids to build proteins, but is there a difference between peptides and amino acids? While related, the key distinction lies in size and structure: peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together, whereas amino acids are the individual units.

Proteins make up approximately 20% of the human body and are essential for countless physiological functions, from tissue repair to producing enzymes. This vital process begins with smaller compounds, and the question is, **do amino acids turn into peptides?** The answer is a fundamental 'yes', driven by a process known as dehydration synthesis.