What type of reaction occurs to form a peptide bond?

A peptide bond is formed through a condensation reaction, which is a specific type of dehydration reaction. In this process, two amino acids come together, and a molecule of water is removed as a byproduct. The amino group of one amino acid reacts with the carboxyl group of another, leading to the formation of the peptide bond.

The term "condensation" specifically refers to the process where two molecules combine, releasing a smaller molecule—in this case, water. Thus, while a dehydration reaction is indeed the technical term that describes the removal of water during bond formation, the broader category of condensation captures the essence of the combined reaction of two amino acids into a larger molecule while losing water.

This reaction is critical for the synthesis of proteins, as it links amino acids in a specific sequence determined by genetic coding. Understanding this process is foundational in biochemistry, as it underpins the structure and function of proteins in biological systems.