noun
- A chemical compound containing two sulfur atoms bonded together, or a compound formed by the oxidation of two thiol groups.
Usage: chemistry; plural form of disulfide
Examples
- Disulfides are commonly found in proteins and play a crucial role in maintaining their three-dimensional structure.
- The formation of disulfides between cysteine residues helps stabilize protein folding.
- Reducing agents can break disulfides into individual thiol groups.
- Hair treatments often work by breaking and reforming disulfides to change hair texture.
- Disulfides are important in the chemistry of amino acids and peptides.