What is alkaline phosphatase? Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a metabolic enzyme that occurs in the cells of a wide variety of tissues in the body – for example, in the bones, liver and bile ducts. There are various subforms (isoenzymes) of alkaline phosphatase. With one exception, these occur specifically in a particular tissue, for example … Alkaline Phosphatase: Everything About the Enzyme
What is amylase? Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down large sugar molecules, making them more digestible. In the human body, there are two different types of amylase that break down sugar at different sites: The alpha-amylases and the beta-amylases. Amylase is found in the saliva of the oral cavity and in the pancreas. If … Amylase: Occurrence in the Body, Laboratory Value, Significance
Sorivudine is a medical drug that was developed in Japan to treat herpes. Sorivudine was marketed under the trade name Usevir and has been unavailable since a drug scandal killed several people in Japan. It did not even receive approval in Europe, so the drug did not have to be withdrawn from the market. What … Sorivudine: Effects, Uses & Risks
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is a coenzyme that can transfer electrons and hydrogen. It is involved in numerous rections in cell metabolism and is formed starting from vitamin B3 (nictoic acid amide or niacin). What is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate? Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (proper name nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is also abbreviated as NADP … Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate: Function & Diseases
Skin aging is a very complex biological process that varies greatly from person to person. It is usually of cosmetic interest only, but can also be an indicator of pathological processes in the body. Aging of the skin is influenced by both external (environment) and internal factors (genetics). What is skin aging? Skin aging occurs … Skin Aging: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
Sphingolipids are among the building blocks of the cell membrane, along with glycerophospholipids and cholesterol. Chemically, they are derived from sphingosine, an unsaturated amino alcohol with 18 carbon atoms. Mainly nervous system and brain are rich in sphingolipids. What are sphingolipids? All cell membranes contain glycerophospholipids, cholesterol and sphingolipids. Sphingolipids consist of the backbone sphingosine, … Sphingolipids: Function & Diseases
Products Maltose is used as an excipient in pharmaceuticals as well as in various foods. It is a natural compound found in many plants. Structure and properties Maltose (C12H22O11, Mr = 342.3 g/mol) is a disaccharide consisting of two molecules of glucose covalently and α-1,4-glycosidically bonded together. It exists as a white, crystalline powder with … Maltose
Sulfur is an inorganic chemical element that exists in a solid state at room temperature. Elemental sulfur is yellow and is present as a molecule in numerous compounds. Sulfur also plays a role in medicine for the therapy of chronic diseases, and its application can be both external and internal. What is sulfur? Sulfur is … Sulfur: Function & Diseases
Fibroblasts are anabolic cells. They produce all the fibers and molecular components of connective tissue, giving it its structure and strength. What are fibroblasts? Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells in the strict sense. They are motile and divisible and produce all the important components of intercellular substance. This is the basic structure in tissue into … Fibroblasts: Structure, Function & Diseases
Products Starch is available as a pure substance in grocery stores (e.g., Maizena, Epifin), pharmacies, and drugstores, among other places. Structure and properties Starch is a polysaccharide and a carbohydrate composed of D-glucose units that are α-glycosidically linked. The contains amylopectin (about 70%) and amylose (about 30%), which have different structures. Amylose consists of unbranched … Strength
Hydroxylysine is a nonclassical proteinogenic amino acid. It is incorporated into the corresponding protein as lysine and hydrolyzed to hydroxylysine within the polypeptide with the help of an enzyme. It represents one of the main components of collagen proteins of connective tissue. What is hydroxylysine? Hydroxylysine is a proteinogenic amino acid that is first incorporated … Hydroxylysine: Function & Diseases
Calcineurin (CaN) is a protein phosphatase that plays an important role in the activation of immune system T cells, but is also active in other calcium-mediated signaling pathways throughout the body. By dephosphorylating the NF-AT protein, this enzyme initiates a series of gene transcripts that are primarily responsible for the characteristic work of T lymphocytes. … Calcineurin: Function & Diseases
