ELI5: What are peptides and how they work?

Imagine your body is like a big LEGO castle. To build it, you need lots of LEGO bricks. Proteins are like the big LEGO walls of your castle.

Peptides are like smaller LEGO bricks that make up the big walls. They are short chains of amino acids linked together. Think of amino acids as individual LEGO studs that connect to form a peptide brick.

How do they work in everyday life?

• Building Blocks: Your body uses peptides as building blocks to repair and create new tissues. If you scrape your knee, peptides help rebuild the skin.
  


• Messengers: Some peptides act like little messengers carrying important instructions. For example, some peptides tell your body when you're full after eating. These messenger peptides help regulate things like appetite.
  


• Helpers: Other peptides help your body function properly. For example, some help your immune system fight off bad guys like germs.

• Proteins are big LEGO walls.
  


• Peptides are smaller LEGO bricks that make up the walls.
  


• Peptides help your body build, communicate, and defend itself!