Amino Acids and Protein Classification: Structure, Function, and Types
Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Proteins
Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They are composed of an amine group (-NH₂), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group) attached to a central carbon atom (α-carbon). The nature of the R group determines the characteristics and classification of each amino acid.
General Structure of Amino Acids:
The general structure of an amino acid can be represented as:
H
NH₂—C—COOH
Human Biology: The Senses of Sight, Hearing, and Equilibrium
Sense of Sight
Vision is arguably one of the most important senses, as it provides us with the most information about our surroundings.
The structures related to vision are:
- Accessory Structures
- Eyeball
- Optic Nerve
- Brain
Accessory Structures
Eyelids
The upper and lower eyelids cover the eyes during sleep, protect them from excessive light and foreign matter, and spread lubricating secretions over the eyeballs.
Eyelashes and Eyebrows
Eyelashes arise from the edge of each eyelid and are composed of numerous
Read MorePharmacology Basics
Bioavailability refers to the extent a substance or drug becomes completely available to its intended biological destination(s).
The main function of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for a fertilized egg to implant and grow.
Agonist: A chemical substance that binds to and activates certain receptors on cells, causing a biological response.
Antagonist: A chemical substance that binds to and blocks the activation of certain receptors on cells, preventing a biological
Read MoreClassification of Environmental Hazards in the Workplace
Classification of Environmental Hazards
According to the way they interact with people, environmental hazards are classified as:
1. Chemical Hazards
These are represented by substances or chemicals that may be present in the workplace, depending on the production processes.
From the perspective of occupational hygiene, we can find them as gases or vapors and aerosols.
Causes of major diseases: asbestosis, systemic poisoning caused by the inhalation of dust or contact with organic chemical substances;
Read MoreModern Biotechnology: Core Techniques & Recombinant DNA Technology
Two Core Techniques that Enabled the Birth of Modern Biotechnology
Genetic engineering: Techniques to alter the chemistry of genetic material (DNA and RNA) to introduce into host organisms and thus change the phenotype of the host organism.
Maintenance of sterile (microbial contamination-free) ambient chemical engineering processes: To enable the growth of only the desired microbe/eukaryotic cell in large quantities.
Conceptual Development of the Principle of Genetic Engineering
Asexual reproduction
Read MorePlant Reproduction: Fertilization & Embryo Development
Prefertilization: Structure and Events
The Flower
Hormonal and structural changes in plants lead to the development of the flower.
The androecium consists of a whorl of stamens representing the male sex organ.
The gynoecium represents the female reproductive organ.
Stamen, Microsporangium, and Pollen Grain
A typical stamen consists of two parts:
- A long and slender stalk called the filament
- A terminal bilobed structure called the anther
A typical angiosperm anther is bilobed.
Each lobe has two thecae (dithecous)
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