GLOSSARY.

To start off we’ve made a small glossary with some basic terms related to this blog, so you can check it out in case you have any doubts regarding the discussed topics. We’ll update further when we deem it necessary.

AMINO ACID

Organic molecule which contains at least one amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH) linked to a carbon atom, which is also linked to a side-chain called R-group, and a single hydrogen atom.  Each amino acid has its own R-group, which is responsible for the amino acid’s properties.

BIOCHEMISTRY

Experimental science that studies the nature and structure of the chemical components in living beings, their functions and transformations and the energetic changes associated to these transformations.

CARBOHYDRATES

Biomolecule made up of smaller units called monosaccharides; they constitute the main source of energy of many organisms. The name “carbohydrate” is due to these molecules’ content in carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

CELL

The basic structural and functional unit of any and all living beings. Has a cytoplasm, plasma membrane and a nucleus, as well as other organelles.

LIPIDS

Wide group of organic substances that are found in living organisms. Lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, although in different proportions than carbohydrates. These compounds aren’t soluble in water; rather, they’re soluble in organic compounds (such as alcohol and ether).

MOLECULE

Aggregate of several atoms that constitutes the smallest portion of a pure substance and conserves all of its properties.

MONOSACCHARIDE

Structural unit of carbohydrates, made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxigen in (CH2O)n proportion, where n is an integer. Among all monosaccharides, glucose stands out as the main source of energy for most living beings.

NUCLEIC ACID

Biomolecule that is made up of sub-units called nucleotides. They can be classified as RNA or ribonucleic acid and DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid. One of the main roles of RNA is protein synthesis, while the main purpose of DNA is to preserve the cell’s genetic material. RNA is usually a single-chain molecule, while DNA usually forms the shape of a double helix.

NUCLEOTIDE

Sub-unit of nucleic acids, made up of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

PRION
A prion is a protein that has pathogenic characteristics. It acts by provoking a conformational change in a protein in the organism. Prions are responsible for some degenerative diseases in the central nervous system.

PROTEIN

Organic molecule made up of smaller units called amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds. Proteins serve many purposes: they act as enzymes and hormones, are part of many structural elements, make muscular contraction possible, transport many molecules, are part of our immune system, etc.

STRUCTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY

Branch of Biochemistry that studies biological structures and their relation to the function they carry out.

TAU PROTEIN
A protein that can be widely found in the central as well as peripheral nervous systems. It is found in the axons of nervous cells, though it can be found outside the nervous system. It is related to the stability of the neuronal cytoskeleton.