Jelly Fish
Jellyfish use chemistry to emit light (bioluminescence ). Some species
of jellyfish can produce light in their bodies, known as bioluminescence. This process
is a chemical reaction that produces a blue colored light in most species notably Aequorea victoria. This is how the chemical process of producing bioluminescence
works: There are two types of chemicals in the bodies of bioluminescent jellyfish −
luciferin and luciferinase. When triggered, the chemical luciferin gets oxidized
by the action of the chemical luciferinase . When these two react, the result of
the reaction is a photoprotein. This photoprotein is the cause of the bluish glow
that the bioluminescent jellyfish acquire.
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Chemical biology or Biochemistry is born out of a desire to understand the molecular
basis of life. Biochemistry aims to explain biological form and function in chemical
terms and also termed as "Chemical basis of life". What are the molecules found in cells? How do their intrinsic properties
equip them to perform all the complex processes found in cells? The aim of chemical
foundation of Biology is to provide the fundamental ideas relating to the chemistry
of life that can then be applied to more advanced aspects of chemical biology.
The reason we have to know some chemistry is because cells are sacs of chemicals. The
fact that sweating cools the skin is a function of the strong forces of attraction
between water molecules. Our body maintains our blood at one critical pH because
of the bicarbonate buffering system. To prevent heart attacks, we must begin with
an understanding about the structure of fatty acids. Mad cow disease is caused by
a misfolded protein. Biochemistry affects every aspect of our lives. Here is a review
of basic biochemistry.
Chemical biology/Biochemistry is the science concerned with chemical substances
and processes that occur in plants, animals, and microorganisms. It involves the
quantitative determination and structural analysis of the organic compounds that
make up cells (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and of those
that play key roles in chemical reactions vital to life (e.g., nucleic acids,
vitamins, and hormones). It is the study which deals with many complex
and interrelated chemical changes.