polypeptide

[ pol-ee-pep-tahyd, -tid ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Biochemistry.

a chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds and having a molecular weight of up to about 10,000.

polypeptide

/ ˌpɒlɪˈpɛptaɪd /

noun

See peptide
any of a group of natural or synthetic polymers made up of amino acids chemically linked together; this class includes the proteins See also peptide

polypeptide

/ pŏl′ē-pĕp′tīd′ /

A peptide, such as a small protein, containing many molecules of amino acids, typically between 10 and 100.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of polypeptide¹

First recorded in 1900–05; poly- + peptide

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Compare Meanings

How does polypeptide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

peptide vs. polypeptide

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Example Sentences

Paxlovid specifically interrupts the step involving the protease enzyme, which splices the long string of polypeptides that the virus makes once it infects a cell.

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