noun
- Plural of disulphide; chemical compounds containing two sulfur atoms bonded together, typically formed between cysteine residues in proteins.
Usage: Also spelled 'disulfides' in U.S. English; Common in biochemistry and chemistry contexts; Often refers to disulfide bonds in protein structure
Examples
- Disulphides form strong covalent bonds between protein chains.
- The stability of the enzyme depends on its disulphides.
- Reducing agents can break disulphides in laboratory experiments.
- Hair proteins contain disulphides that give hair its strength.
- Disulphides are important for maintaining the three-dimensional structure of proteins.