Biochemistry the chemistry of life, a bridge between biology and chemistry that studies how complex chemical reactions give rise to life. It is a hybrid branch of chemistry which specialises in the chemical processes in living organisms. This article only discusses terrestrial biochemistry (carbon- and water-based), as all the life forms we know are on Earth. Since life forms alive today are believed to have descended from the same common ancestor, they naturally have similar biochemistries, even for matters which would appear to be e ...

Including:

• Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry
• Biochemistry - Carbohydrates
• Biochemistry - Proteins
• Biochemistry - Lipids
• Biochemistry - Nucleic acids
• Biochemistry - Relationship to other molecular-scale biological sciences

Read more here: » Biochemistry: Encyclopedia - Biochemistry

See also:

Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry, Biochemistry - Carbohydrates, Biochemistry - Proteins, Biochemistry - Lipids, Biochemistry - Nucleic acids, Biochemistry - Relationship to other molecular-scale biological sciences

Read more here: » Biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry

The most common other proposed basis is silicon, since silicon has many similar chemical properties to carbon. Silicon has a number of handicaps as a carbon analogue, however. Because silicon atoms are much bigger, they have difficulty forming double or triple bonds. Silanes (hydrogen-silicon compounds analogous to the alkane hydrocarbons) are highly reactive with water, and long-chain silanes spontaneously decompose. Molecules incorporating Si-O-Si bonds (known collectively as silicones) instead of Si-Si bonds are much more stable; ordinary ...

See also:

Alternative biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Nitrogen/Phosphorus biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Other exotic biochemical elements, Alternative biochemistry - Non-water solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Ammonia, Alternative biochemistry - Other solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Artificial life, Alternative biochemistry - In fiction

Read more here: » Alternative biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry

Alternative biochemistry collectively refers to an assortment of astrobiology theories and hypotheses in which life is based on chemical systems other than those used by currently known forms of life. Proponents of such theories sometimes use the expression carbon chauvinism to disparage the assumption that carbon molecules are necessarily the basis for all life. Up to this point, however, no non-carbon based life-form has been discovered. Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry. The most com ...

Including:

• Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry
• Alternative biochemistry - Nitrogen/Phosphorus biochemistry
• Alternative biochemistry - Other exotic biochemical elements
• Alternative biochemistry - Non-water solvents
• Alternative biochemistry - Ammonia
• Alternative biochemistry - Other solvents
• Alternative biochemistry - Artificial life
• Alternative biochemistry - In fiction

Read more here: » Alternative biochemistry: Encyclopedia - Alternative biochemistry

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesised in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin is believed to play an important part of the biochemistry of depression, migraine, bipolar disorder and anxiety. It is also believed to be influential on sexuality and appetite. The name "serotonin" is something of a misnomer and reflects the circumstances of the compound's discovery. It was initially id ...

Including:

• Serotonin - Biochemistry
• Serotonin - Neurotransmission
• Serotonin - Pharmacology
• Serotonin - Modulating levels of 5-HT
• Serotonin - Antidepressants
• Serotonin - Antiemetics
• Serotonin - Deficiency
• Serotonin - Serotonin syndrome
• Serotonin - See Also

Read more here: » Serotonin: Encyclopedia - Serotonin

In biology, a trait or character is a genetically inherited feature of an organism. As synonym for trait can be sometimes used the term phenotype; the difference is that this second term can also indicate the total physical appearance or constitution. Trait - Definition. A trait may be any single feature or quantifiable measurement of an organism. However, the most useful traits for genetic analysis are present in different forms in different individuals. A visible tra ...

Including:

• Trait - Definition
• Trait - Environmental origin
• Trait - Genetic origin of traits in diploid organisms
• Trait - Mendelian expression of genes in diploid organisms
• Trait - Biochemistry of dominance and extensions to expression of traits

Read more here: » Trait: Encyclopedia - Trait

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and eukaryotic algae that conduct photosynthesis. Chloroplasts capture light energy from the sun to produce the free energy stored in ATP and NADPH through a process called photosynthesis. Chloroplast - Origins. Chloroplasts are one of the forms a plastid may take, and are generally considered to have originated as endosymbiotic cyanobacteria. In this respect they are similar to mitochondria, but are found only in plants and protista. Both organelles are surr ...

Including:

• Chloroplast - Origins
• Chloroplast - Structure
• Chloroplast - Biochemistry

Read more here: » Chloroplast: Encyclopedia - Chloroplast

Cysteine is a naturally occurring hydrophobic amino acid which has a sulfhydryl group and is found in most proteins, though only in small quantities. When it is exposed to air it oxidizes to form cystine, which is two cysteine molecules joined by a disulfide bond. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is derived from cysteine and is a popular dietary supplement that is metabolized into the antioxidant glutathione. Cysteine - Biochemistry. Cysteine contains a highly nucleophilic thiol group, and one of its primar ...

Including:

• Cysteine - Biochemistry
• Cysteine - Dietary Sources
• Cysteine - Production
• Cysteine - Applications
• Cysteine - Sheep

Read more here: » Cysteine: Encyclopedia - Cysteine

Brown fat is a type of adipose tissue present in many newborn or hibernating mammals. In contrast to white adipocytes (fat cells), which contain a single, large fat vacuole, brown adipocytes contain several smaller vacuoles and a much higher number of mitochondria. Brown fat also contains more capillaries since it has a greater need for oxygen than most tissues. Brown adipose tissue - Biochemistry. The mitochondria in a eukaryotic cell utilize fuels to produce energy (in the form of ATP). This proce ...

Including:

• Brown adipose tissue - Biochemistry
• Brown adipose tissue - Function in babies
• Brown adipose tissue - Function in plants

Read more here: » Brown adipose tissue: Encyclopedia - Brown adipose tissue

Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7 and C10H16N2O3S (Biotin; Coenzyme R, Biopeiderm), is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is composed of an ureido ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. A valeric acid substituent is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the tetrahydrothiophene ring. Biotin is important in the catalysis of essential metabolic reactions to synthesize fatty acids, in gluconeogenesis, and to metabolize leucine. It is commonly found in pyr ...

Including:

• Biotin - General overview
• Biotin - Uses
• Biotin - Hair problems
• Biotin - Cradle cap seborrheic dermatitis
• Biotin - Diabetes
• Biotin - Biotin deficiency
• Biotin - Biochemistry

Read more here: » Biotin: Encyclopedia - Biotin

An automated analyser is a laboratory machine designed to measure different chemicals in a number of biological samples quickly, with minimal human assistance. The chemicals and other qualities of blood and other fluid measured may be useful in the diagnosis of disease. Different methods of putting samples through have been invented, but usually involve placing test tubes of sample into racks, which can be moved along a track, or circular carousels that rotate to make the sample available. To protect the health and safety of laboratory staff many analysers feature closed tube sam ...

Including:

• Automated analyser - Routine biochemistry analysers
• Automated analyser - Immuno-based analysers
• Automated analyser - Haematology analysers
• Automated analyser - Cell counters
• Automated analyser - Coagulometers
• Automated analyser - Other haematology apparatus

Read more here: » Automated analyser: Encyclopedia - Automated analyser

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from defects in steps of the synthesis of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Most of these diseases involve excessive or defective production of sex steroids and can pervert or impair development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in affected infants, children, and adults. Only a small minority of people with CAH can be said to have an intersex condition, but this attracted American public attention in the late 1990s and ...

Including:

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Overview of the multiple types of CAH
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Genetics
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Biochemistry
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - History

Read more here: » Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Encyclopedia - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Biology is the study, or science, of life. It is concerned with the characteristics and behaviors of organisms, how species and individuals come into existence, and the interactions they have with each other and with the environment. Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that are often viewed as independent disciplines. However, together they address phenomena related to living organisms (biological phenomena) over a wide range of scales. Biology - Biological Phenomena. At the organism lev ...

Including:

• Biology - Biological Phenomena
• Biology - Branches of Biology
• Biology - Principles of biology
• Biology - Universality: Biochemistry cells and the genetic code
• Biology - Evolution: The central principle of biology
• Biology - Diversity: The variety of living organisms
• Biology - Continuity: The common descent of life
• Biology - Homeostasis: Adapting to change
• Biology - Interactions: Groups and environments
• Biology - Scope of biology
• Biology - Structure of life
• Biology - Physiology of organisms
• Biology - Diversity and evolution of organisms
• Biology - Interactions of organisms
• Biology - History of the word biology
• Biology - History
• Biology - Related topics

Read more here: » Biology: Encyclopedia - Biology

The function of carbohydrates includes energy storage and providing structure. Sugars are carbohydrates, although there are carbohydrates that are not sugars. There are more carbohydrates on Earth than any other type of biomolecule. The simplest type of carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, which among other properties contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio 1:2:1 (generalized formula CnH2nOn, where n is at least 3). Glucose, one of the most important carboyhydrate ...

See also:

Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry, Biochemistry - Carbohydrates, Biochemistry - Proteins, Biochemistry - Lipids, Biochemistry - Nucleic acids, Biochemistry - Relationship to other molecular-scale biological sciences

Read more here: » Biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Biochemistry - Carbohydrates

The term lipid comprises a diverse range of molecules and to some extent is a catchall for relatively water-insoluble or nonpolar compounds of biological origin, including waxes, fatty acids, fatty-acid derived phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids and terpenoids, such as retinoids and steroids. Some lipids are linear aliphatic molecules, while others have ring structures. Some are aromatic, while others are not. Some are flexible, while others are rigid. Most lipids have some polar character in addition to being largely nonpolar. ...

See also:

Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry, Biochemistry - Carbohydrates, Biochemistry - Proteins, Biochemistry - Lipids, Biochemistry - Nucleic acids, Biochemistry - Relationship to other molecular-scale biological sciences

Read more here: » Biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Biochemistry - Lipids

Nitrogen and phosphorus also offer possibilities as the basis for biochemical molecules. Phosphorus can form long chain molecules on its own like carbon, and so potentially could be built up into complex macromolecules, but phosphorus is fairly reactive. In combination with nitrogen, however, it can form much more stable phosphorus-nitrogen (P-N) bonds; compounds containing these can form a wide range of molecules, including rings. Earth's atmosphere is approximately 80% nitrogen, but this would probably not be much use to a P-N lifef ...

See also:

Alternative biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Nitrogen/Phosphorus biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Other exotic biochemical elements, Alternative biochemistry - Non-water solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Ammonia, Alternative biochemistry - Other solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Artificial life, Alternative biochemistry - In fiction

Read more here: » Alternative biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Alternative biochemistry - Nitrogen/Phosphorus biochemistry

Like carbohydrates, some proteins perform largely structural roles. For instance, movements of the proteins actin and myosin ultimately are responsible for the contraction of skeletal muscle. One property many proteins have is that they specifically bind to a certain molecule or class of molecules—they may be extremely selective in what they bind. Antibodies are an example of proteins that attach to one specific type of molecule. In fact, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which uses antibodies, is currently one of the m ...

See also:

Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Development of biochemistry, Biochemistry - Carbohydrates, Biochemistry - Proteins, Biochemistry - Lipids, Biochemistry - Nucleic acids, Biochemistry - Relationship to other molecular-scale biological sciences

Read more here: » Biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Biochemistry - Proteins

In the realm of science fiction there have occasionally been forms of life proposed that, while often highly speculative and unsupported by rigorous theoretical examination, are nevertheless interesting and in some cases even somewhat plausible. One of the major sentient species in Terry Pratchett's Discworld universe is Trolls. Their being mineral-based has various interesting effects on their physiology and culture. Trolls eat rocks, which suggests that their biochemistry is similar to that of plants. A heterotrophic silicon-based l ...

See also:

Alternative biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Silicon biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Nitrogen/Phosphorus biochemistry, Alternative biochemistry - Other exotic biochemical elements, Alternative biochemistry - Non-water solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Ammonia, Alternative biochemistry - Other solvents, Alternative biochemistry - Artificial life, Alternative biochemistry - In fiction

Read more here: » Alternative biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Alternative biochemistry - In fiction

Proteins denature when they lose their three-dimensional structure - their chemical conformation and thus their characteristic folded structure. Proteins may be denatured at the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structural levels, but not at the primary structural level. Proteins are long strands of amino acids linked together in specific sequences. A protein is created by ribosomes that "read" codons in the gene and assemble the requisite amino acid combination from the genetic instruction, in a process known as translation. The new ...

See also:

Denaturation biochemistry, Denaturation biochemistry - Protein denaturation, Denaturation biochemistry - How denaturation occurs at levels of protein structure, Denaturation biochemistry - Loss of function, Denaturation biochemistry - Reversibility and irreversibility, Denaturation biochemistry - Some common examples, Denaturation biochemistry - Nucleic acid denaturation

Read more here: » Denaturation biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Denaturation biochemistry - Protein denaturation

Receptor biochemistry - Metabotropic receptors. These receptors are also known as seven transmembrane receptors or 7TM receptors. "muscarinic" Acetylcholine receptors (Acetylcholine and Muscarine) Adenosine receptors (Adenosine) Adrenoceptors (also known as Adrenergic receptors, for adrenaline, and other structurally related hormones and drugs) GABA receptors, Type-B (γ-Aminobutyric acid or GABA) Angiotensin receptors (Angiotensin)See also:

Receptor biochemistry, Receptor biochemistry - Overview, Receptor biochemistry - Peripheral membrane protein receptors, Receptor biochemistry - Transmembrane receptors, Receptor biochemistry - Metabotropic receptors, Receptor biochemistry - Ionotropic receptors, Receptor biochemistry - Intracellular receptors, Receptor biochemistry - Transcription factors, Receptor biochemistry - Various, Receptor biochemistry - Role in Genetic Disorders

Read more here: » Receptor biochemistry: Encyclopedia II - Receptor biochemistry - Transmembrane receptors