What component of the protein structure is linked by peptide bonds?

Peptide bonds specifically form between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another, leading to the formation of a dipeptide, and subsequently, longer chains of amino acids known as polypeptides. This process involves a dehydration synthesis reaction where a molecule of water is removed, allowing the two amino acids to covalently bond.

When considering the entire scope of proteins and their structure, it is essential to recognize that proteins are composed of one or more polypeptides that have folded and coiled into a specific three-dimensional shape necessary for their function. While polypeptides refer to the chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, it is the amino acids themselves that are the fundamental building blocks being connected by these bonds in the first place. Therefore, identifying amino acids as the component linked by peptide bonds directly addresses the molecular interaction that forms the basis of protein structure.