What is a Plasmalogen?
A plasmalogen is a glycero-phospholipid where the C1 position is an ether linkage and is though to act as a reducing agent to prevent cellular free-radical damageHere is the structure:Source:…
What is a Phospholipase?
A phospholipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids.As shown in the image below, the phospholipid can undergo a hydrolysis reaction which will produce water.Source: WikipediaThe cleavage sites…
How to use a pKa table
The pKa values are used a lot in organic chemistry. Understanding the proper use of a pKa table will give you the ability to recognize which acid-base reactions will happen and which will…
Types of Passive Mediated Transport
Passive mediated transport does not require assistance of other molecules to pass through the membrane.Instead, there are 5 types of passive mediated transport protocols:IonophoresPorinsIon ChannelsAquaporinsTransport ProteinsLet’s begin with ionophores:Ionophores:Ionophores are…
Types of Enzyme Catalysis
Here are the 5 main types of catalytic mechanisms employed by enzymes:Acid/Base CatalysisCovalent CatalysisMetal Ion CatalysisProximity and Orientation EffectsPreferential binding of the transition state complexAcid/Base Catalysis:Here the enzyme protonates or…
Transport Across Membranes
Transport across a membrane is important as without it, our bodies would not be able to function.Types of transport for small metabolites and ions:Non-mediated transport = diffusion across the membrane…
Transition State Theory
The transition state is the highest energy state in the reaction.It is the point where bonds are formed or brokenThe rate is determined at this step.Function of enzymes is to…
SN1 vs. SN2
SN1 vs. SN2Nucleophilic substitution reactions are very important reactions of alkyl halide. There can be two pathways:Unimolecular nucleophilic substitution, SN1Bimolecular nucleophilic substitution, SN2.Whether an alkyl halide will undergo an SN1…
Protic vs. Aprotic Solvents
A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute resulting in a solution. Solvents can be classified into two categories: polar and non-polar.Polar solvents contain bonds between atoms with very…
Protein Sequencing Process
The protein sequencing process describes the steps that need to be taken in order to determine the amino acid sequence of a protein.However, in order to begin, you must take…