NOTE: The information on this page is generated through the use of LLM technologies such as ChatGPT and Claude Sonnet
Amphipathic
A molecule that contains both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions. This dual characteristic allows amphipathic molecules to interact with both water and nonpolar substances, making them essential in biological systems. For example, phospholipids in cell membranes are amphipathic, with hydrophilic phosphate heads and hydrophobic fatty acid tails, enabling the formation of bilayers that separate cellular compartments.
Esterification
Chemical process in which an alcohol reacts with an acid to form an ester. During esterification, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of the acid is replaced by the alkoxy group (-OR) from the alcohol, often releasing water as a byproduct.
Glycosylated
The process by which a sugar molecule (glycan) is chemically attached to another molecule, typically a protein or lipid. This process, known as glycosylation, is a common post-translational modification in cells and plays a critical role in various biological functions, including protein folding, stability, and cell-cell signaling.
For example:
- Glycosylated proteins are often found on cell surfaces and play key roles in immune response.
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin linked to glucose, commonly used as a marker for long-term blood sugar control in diabetes.