Biochemistry

Polypeptide

A longer chain of amino acids, typically 50+ residues — the category between peptides and proteins.

Definition

Polypeptides are amino acid chains longer than typical peptides but folded into functional proteins. The distinction between "peptide" and "polypeptide" is semantic; most authorities use 50 amino acids as a soft cutoff.

Related terms

Back to the full peptide glossary.