Micronutrients, Macronutrients, and Balanced Diet
Micronutrients and Their Effects on the Body
Micronutrients, primarily minerals and vitamins, are essential components of a healthy diet. They perform various crucial functions:
Minerals
- Calcium: Required for bone and teeth formation. Deficiency causes osteoporosis, rickets, and retarded growth.
- Iron: Necessary for the formation of hemoglobin. Deficiency leads to anemia.
- Phosphorus: Helps in making strong bones and teeth.
- Sodium: Supports the nervous system for better response. Deficiency causes cramps
Digestive, Respiratory, and Circulatory Systems
Digestive System Accessory Organs
These organs are located outside the digestive tract, although the digestive juices they secrete are passed into it. These juices contain a great variety of digestive enzymes (proteins that accelerate the breakdown of complex food into nutrients).
- The salivary glands: Three pairs of glands that secrete saliva into the mouth.
- The liver: The largest gland. It secretes bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps us to digest lipids by acting as a detergent. The
Cellular Structures: Mitochondria, Chloroplasts & Nucleus
Mitochondria: Structure and Function
Outer membrane: Contains proteins that regulate the exchange of substances with the cytosol. Inner membrane: Consists of ridges and contains mitochondrial proteins. Matrix: The space inside the mitochondria; contains enzymes, DNA (as a double-stranded, closed circular molecule).
Mitochondria Function: Energy production.
Chloroplast: Structure and Function
Found in plant cells and photosynthetic eukaryotes.
- Outer membrane: Fluid mosaic.
- Inner membrane: No crests.
- Stroma:
Understanding Virology: Acronyms, Concepts, and Vaccines
Acronyms in Virology
- AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- ART: Antiretroviral therapy
- ccc: Covalently closed circle
- CMV: Cytomegalovirus
- CPE: Cytopathic effects
- CTL: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- DLP: Double-layered particle
- EBV: Epstein-Barr virus
- ER: Endoplasmic reticulum
- ESCRT: Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport
- GFP: Green fluorescent protein
- HA: Hemagglutinin
- Hsp60: Heat shock protein 60
- ICAM-1: Intercellular adhesion molecule
- IFN: Interferon
- IHF: Integration host factor
- IRES: Internal ribosome
Cellular Metabolism and Energy Production
Cellular Metabolism: Key Concepts and Processes
Anabolism
Anabolism refers to the set of chemical reactions occurring in the cell that aims at synthesizing complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input. (Synthesis of complex products with energy expenditure).
Metabolism
Metabolism is the comprehensive set of chemical reactions that occur within a cell.
Glycolysis
Glycolysis is a series of typically catabolic reactions.
Chemosynthetic Bacteria
Chemosynthetic bacteria are autotrophs, meaning
Read MoreLife’s Genesis and Evolutionary Mechanisms
Oparin’s Theory
Approximately 4 billion years ago, the components of Earth’s primitive atmosphere reacted due to the energy of storms, solar radiation, etc. As a result, simple organic molecules were created.
- The Earth cooled down, intense rain was produced, and seas were formed. These molecules accumulated in these seas. Oparin referred to these seas as primordial soup.
- The organic molecules started to join, creating bigger ones. Some of them were isolated in coacervates.
- Some coacervates developed