Is the peptide bond easily broken? Why would this be important?

Answer 1

No, of course not.

All major proteins in our bodies contain peptide bonds that hold together their backbone.

A peptide bond is:

For example, in an alpha helix, we have plenty of peptide bonds in the amino acid fragments connecting across each rectangle in this diagram:

And in a beta-pleated sheet, we also have plenty of peptide bonds:

Both of these structures are found in many proteins.


If peptide bonds were hydrolyzed quickly and easily, then we would probably not be alive (no kidding).

Actually, in the first one or two weeks in biochemistry I was taught that peptide bond hydrolysis is thermodynamically favorable but kinetically unfavorable (half-life: about 1000 years).

In the amount of time it would take to hydrolyze a peptide bond, another one would probably be formed in its place.

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Answer 2

Yes, the peptide bond is relatively stable and not easily broken under normal physiological conditions. This stability is important for maintaining the structural integrity of proteins, as peptide bonds link amino acids together to form polypeptide chains. If peptide bonds were easily broken, proteins would be unable to maintain their proper structure and function, leading to dysfunction and potential health problems in organisms.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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