61 results found

Search Results for: hydrophobic

Hydrophobic

Hydrophobic Definition The fear of mixing or reacting with water under a given set of reaction parameters is often referred... Read More

Amphipathic

Amphipathic Definition Amphipathic is a word used to describe a chemical compound containing both polar (water-soluble) and... Read More

Hydrophilic

Hydrophilic Definition What does a hydrophile (or hydrophilic molecule) mean? If a molecule is “water-loving”, it is... Read More

Cell membrane

Cell Membrane Definition Just like any non-living body possesses a plastic or paper packaging material that keeps the... Read More

Phospholipid

What is a phospholipid? Phospholipids are a subgroup of lipids. Other major types of lipids are fatty acids, sphingolipids,... Read More

Fluid mosaic model

Fluid Mosaic Model Definition What is the fluid mosaic model? The fluid mosaic model is a three-dimensional representation... Read More

Plasma membrane

Do all cells have a plasma (or cell) membrane? Yes, all cells have a biological membrane that separates the protoplasm from... Read More

Selectively-permeable membrane

Selectively Permeable Membrane Definition We can define selectively permeable membranes as those that are selectively... Read More

Polypeptide

Polypeptide Definition Biology What are polypeptides? A polypeptide is defined as a polymer of amino acids joined together... Read More

Transport

In biology, transport refers to the act or the means by which a molecule or ion is moved across the cell membrane or via the... Read More

Lipid

A biomolecule refers to any molecule that is produced by living organisms. As such, most of them are organic molecules. The... Read More

Valine

Amino acids are categorized into two groups based on the capability of the human body to synthesize them; essential and... Read More

Chemical Composition of the Body

In order to fully understand the mechanisms of human physiology, it is important to have an understanding of the chemical... Read More

Phospholipid bilayer

Definition noun The two layers of phospholipids arranged in such a way that their hydrophobic tails are projecting inwards... Read More

Moiety

Moiety Definition What is a moiety? Moiety (plural: moieties), in general, refers to the half or one of the two... Read More

Endomembrane system

Ever wondered how biomolecules are made within the cell and then they are released outside the cell for use by the body?... Read More

Simple diffusion

Diffusion is essential in the anatomy and physiology of a living thing, especially with regard to homeostasis. It is one of... Read More

Ion carrier

Definition noun, plural: ion carriers An ionophore that facilitates transport of ion through a hydrophobic medium, such as... Read More

Biomolecule

A molecule is an electrically neutral, group of atoms that can exist alone in a free state while its characteristic... Read More

Facilitated diffusion

Facilitated diffusion is the transport of substances across a biological membrane from an area of higher concentration to an... Read More

Endocytosis

Endocytosis Definition What is endocytosis in biology? Endocytosis is a cellular process by which a cell internalizes any... Read More

Bile

Have you ever wondered how the fats from butter, cheesy burgers, and pizzas get digested in your body? Or have you heard of... Read More

Water

Water Definition (1) (biochemistry) A chemical substance, with chemical formula H2O, that is a clear, colorless, odorless,... Read More

Specimen

A specimen is a meticulously selected representative of a group that undergoes rigorous research studies to derive some... Read More

Metabolism

Metabolism Definition What is metabolism in the body? Metabolism encompasses the various biochemical processes, reactions,... Read More

Carrier protein

Carrier protein is a type of cell membrane protein involved in facilitated diffusion and active transport of substances out... Read More

O antigen

Definition noun (microbiology) A repetitive glycan polymer attached to the core oligosaccharide of the LPS layer of certain... Read More

Epidermis

Epidermis Definition What is the epidermis? We can define the epidermis as one or more layers of cells forming the tough... Read More

Universal solvent

Definition noun (1) A substance capable of dissolving all or a large variety of substances. (2) An... Read More

Chlorophyll

Why are most plants green? Have you ever had the same question? Perhaps, you’ve been told that the plants are green... Read More

Integral protein

Definition noun, plural: integral proteins A protein molecule or protein assembly permanently attached in biological... Read More

Enzyme

An enzyme is a biomolecule that can be synthesized biologically (naturally occurring) or through other processes... Read More

Spheroprotein

Definition noun, plural: spheroproteins A type of protein characterized by being globular or spherical in shape, and... Read More

Glycerol

Definition noun glyc•er•ol, ˈglɪs əˌrɔl A sugar alcohol made up of two polyols derived from saponification of... Read More

Peripheral membrane protein

Definition noun, plural: peripheral membrane proteins A protein that temporarily adheres to the biological membrane, either... Read More

Sebaceous gland

Definition noun, plural: sebaceous glands An exocrine gland secreting sebum that lubricates hair and skin Supplement A... Read More

Suberin

Definition noun, plural: suberins (botany) A lipophilic complex polyester biopolymer that occurs in the cell... Read More

Erythrocyte

Erythrocyte Definition Erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs) are the myeloid series of specialized cells that play an... Read More

Roots

Upon seed germination, the embryo root, called the radicle, grows and develops into the first root. The radicle may thicken... Read More

Endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic Reticulum Definition The endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane-bound organelle in cells of eukaryotic cells... Read More