Chemistry of Life REFERENCES

estradiol

A form of estrogen, estradiol is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the ovaries, essential for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.

testosterone

A primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

elastase

an enzyme that breaks down elastin, a protein in connective tissues, impacting lung function and elasticity.

how opiates such as morphine easily impact brain

similar effects to naturally produced endorphins bcuz similar shapes & bind to same receptors in brain

forms of pure carbon

graphite, diamond, fullerene, amorphous carbon

glycerol

hydrocarbon compound backbone found in lipids, C₃H₈O₃

cholesterol

lipid, C₂₇H₄₆O

estradiol

steroid w/ 4 fused carbon rings, estrogen hormone

testosterone

steroid w/ 4 fused carbon rings, male sex hormone

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD or Emphysema enlargement of the alveoli, destruction of cell walls, absence of normal inhibition of human neutrophil (leukocyte) elastase

alveoli

tiny air sacs in the lung

neutrophil (leukocyte) elastase

proteolytic enzyme, elastase breaks down elastin

elastin

normal structural component of lung tissue

α-1 antitrypsin

AAT, inhibitor, protects lung from elastase

elastase

serine protease enzyme

digestive enzymes

catalyze the hydrolysis of bonds in food molecules

antibodies

inactivate & help destroy viruses & bacteria

casein

protein of milk, source of amino acids

ovalbumin

protein of egg white, amino acid source for embryo

insulin

hormone secreted by pancreas, causes other tissues to take up glucose, regulating blood sugar concentration

keratin

protein of hair & other skin, webs & cocoons

sickle cell disease

change in primary structure of the hemoglobin protein molecules

association between proteins & alzheimer’s, parkinson’s, mad cow disease

misfolding in cells

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy

high res, atomic level methodology, determination of chem & biochem structures of molecules, proteins, nucleic acids, sugars, lipids, drugs