Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Proteins are polymers of amino acids. These amino acids are joined together by a specific covalent bond known as a peptide linkage.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
A peptide linkage is formed when the carboxyl group (\(-COOH\)) of one amino acid reacts with the amino group (\(-NH_2\)) of another amino acid.
This reaction involves the elimination of a water molecule (condensation).
The resulting bond is \(-CO-NH-\).
Structure: \(...-CO-NH-CH(R)-CO-NH-... \).
Step 4: Final Answer:
A peptide linkage is the covalent amide bond that connects amino acids in a polypeptide chain.