Which type of reaction results in the formation of a peptide bond between amino acids and the loss of a water molecule?

The type of reaction that results in the formation of a peptide bond between amino acids and the loss of a water molecule is called a condensation reaction, specifically a dehydration synthesis.

Here are the steps:

1. Two amino acids approach each other, with the amino (NH2) group of one approaching the carboxyl (COOH) group of the other.

2. The OH from the carboxyl group and the H from the amino group are removed. These combine to form a molecule of water (H2O), which is released. This is why it's called a "dehydration" reaction - a water molecule is effectively removed.

3. The remaining parts of the amino and carboxyl groups combine to form a peptide bond (CO-NH), linking the two amino acids together.

4. This process can be repeated to link together many amino acids in a chain, forming a polypeptide or protein. Each link involves the formation of another peptide bond and the loss of another water molecule.