🌍 Biochemistry, Environment & Industry
127 chemistry topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry, from beginner to intermediate to advanced level. Each topic has a clear explanation, a worked example, frequently asked questions and an interactive lesson.
Beginner topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry (38)
- BiomoleculesCarbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids are the major molecules of life.
- MonosaccharidesSimple sugars such as glucose, fructose and galactose.
- DisaccharidesTwo monosaccharides joined by a glycosidic bond, such as sucrose, lactose and maltose.
- StarchA plant energy store made of amylose and amylopectin.
- EnzymesProtein catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions.
- VitaminsOrganic micronutrients required in small amounts, either water-soluble or fat-soluble.
- Fats and OilsTriglycerides of glycerol and fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated.
- ATPAdenosine triphosphate is the energy currency of cells.
- PhotosynthesisPlants convert CO2 and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.
- FermentationAnaerobic breakdown of sugars producing ethanol or lactic acid.
- Antiseptics and DisinfectantsChemicals that kill or inhibit microorganisms on living tissue or surfaces.
- Food PreservativesSubstances such as salt, sugar and benzoates that prevent spoilage.
- Food AdditivesColorings, flavourings and stabilizers added to improve food.
- Chemistry of CookingHeating changes proteins, starches and fats and creates flavors.
- PlasticsSynthetic polymers shaped by heat and pressure.
- PolyethyleneThe most common plastic, in low and high density forms.
- PVCPolyvinyl chloride is a rigid or flexible plastic used in pipes.
- Plastic RecyclingSorting and reprocessing plastics to reduce waste.
- Atmospheric CompositionThe atmosphere is mostly nitrogen and oxygen with trace gases.
- Greenhouse EffectGases trap infrared radiation, warming the planet.
- Global WarmingRising average temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
- Greenhouse GasesCO2, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.
- SmogPhotochemical smog forms from sunlight reacting with nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
- Air Quality IndexA scale reporting how polluted the air is.
- Water PollutionContamination by sewage, chemicals or heavy metals.
- Waste ManagementReducing, reusing and recycling waste lessens environmental impact.
- Natural GasMostly methane, burned for heating and electricity.
- CoalA solid fossil fuel mainly of carbon formed from plant remains.
- Soap MakingFats react with alkali to give soap and glycerol.
- Fireworks ChemistryMetal salts give colors, and oxidizers and fuels supply energy.
- MatchesPhosphorus compounds and oxidizers ignite by friction.
- History of ChemistryFrom alchemy and Lavoisier to modern quantum chemistry, ideas about matter have evolved.
- AlchemyA medieval tradition seeking to transmute metals that led to early chemical techniques.
- LavoisierEstablished conservation of mass and named oxygen, often called the father of modern…
- MendeleevCreated the periodic table and predicted missing elements.
- Marie CurieDiscovered polonium and radium and won Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry.
- Nobel Prize in ChemistryAnnual award for outstanding contributions to chemistry.
- Careers in ChemistryChemists work in research, medicine, industry, environment and education.
Intermediate topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry (54)
- PolysaccharidesLong sugar polymers such as starch, glycogen and cellulose.
- CelluloseA beta-glucose polymer forming plant cell walls, indigestible by humans.
- GlycogenA highly branched glucose polymer used for energy storage in animals.
- Protein Structure LevelsPrimary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure describe protein folding.
- DenaturationLoss of protein structure by heat, pH or chemicals, destroying function.
- Essential Amino AcidsAmino acids the human body cannot make and must obtain from food.
- Active SiteThe region of an enzyme where substrate binds and reaction occurs.
- Lock and Key vs Induced FitSubstrates fit rigid sites in one model and the enzyme reshapes on binding in the other.
- HormonesChemical messengers like insulin and adrenaline regulating physiology.
- Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty AcidsSaturated chains have no double bonds; unsaturated have one or more.
- DNA StructureA double helix of two antiparallel strands paired A-T and G-C.
- RNA TypesmRNA, tRNA and rRNA play distinct roles in protein synthesis.
- Base PairingAdenine pairs with thymine and guanine with cytosine through hydrogen bonds.
- MetabolismAll chemical reactions in living organisms, divided into catabolism and anabolism.
- Cellular RespirationGlucose is oxidized with oxygen, releasing energy stored as ATP.
- Digestion ChemistryEnzymes hydrolyze carbohydrates, proteins and fats into absorbable units.
- Drug ActionDrugs bind receptors or enzymes to modify biological processes.
- AntibioticsCompounds that kill or inhibit bacteria, such as penicillin.
- AnalgesicsPain relievers such as aspirin and paracetamol.
- Artificial SweetenersCompounds such as aspartame much sweeter than sugar.
- Cosmetic ChemistryEmulsions, surfactants and pigments are used in personal care products.
- Thermoplastics and ThermosetsThermoplastics soften when heated while thermosets are permanently hardened.
- NylonA polyamide fiber made by condensation of diamine and diacid.
- PolyesterPolymers with ester links used in textiles and bottles.
- TeflonPolytetrafluoroethylene is a non-stick, chemically inert polymer.
- BakeliteA phenol-formaldehyde thermoset, one of the first synthetic plastics.
- PolystyreneA transparent plastic used in packaging and foam.
- MicroplasticsPlastic fragments under 5 mm that persist in ecosystems.
- Composite MaterialsMaterials combining two phases, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber.
- Carbon CycleCarbon moves between atmosphere, oceans, biosphere and rocks.
- Ozone Layer DepletionChlorine from CFCs catalytically destroys stratospheric ozone.
- CFCsChlorofluorocarbons were refrigerants phased out because of ozone damage.
- Particulate MatterTiny airborne particles harmful to lungs.
- EutrophicationExcess nutrients cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water.
- Dissolved OxygenOxygen in water essential for aquatic life.
- Heavy Metal PollutionLead, mercury and cadmium accumulate in food chains.
- PesticidesChemicals that control pests but may harm ecosystems.
- Renewable Energy ChemistrySolar, wind and hydrogen technologies rely on advanced materials and electrochemistry.
- Solar CellsDevices converting sunlight to electricity using semiconductors.
- Nuclear PowerFission of uranium produces heat for electricity with radioactive waste.
- Radiation SafetyTime, distance and shielding limit radiation exposure.
- Medical IsotopesRadioisotopes such as technetium-99m are used in imaging and therapy.
- Industrial ChemistryLarge-scale production of chemicals through efficient processes.
- Petroleum RefiningCrude oil is separated and chemically converted into fuels and feedstocks.
- Sulfuric Acid IndustryThe largest volume chemical, used in fertilizers and processing.
- Ammonia IndustryMade via Haber process for fertilizers and chemicals.
- Chlorine IndustryProduced by electrolysis for PVC, solvents and water treatment.
- Paper IndustryWood pulp is chemically treated to separate cellulose.
- Glass ManufactureSilica, soda ash and limestone are melted and shaped.
- Cement ManufactureLimestone and clay are heated in kilns to form clinker.
- Fertilizer ProductionAmmonium nitrate, urea and superphosphates are made industrially.
- ExplosivesSubstances releasing large gas volumes rapidly, such as TNT and nitroglycerin.
- Photography ChemistrySilver halide reduction in developers creates images.
- Textile DyesColored compounds that bond to fibers.
Advanced topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry (35)
- Alpha Helix and Beta SheetCommon secondary structures stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
- Cofactors and CoenzymesNon-protein helpers such as metal ions and vitamins needed for enzyme activity.
- Trans FatsUnsaturated fats with trans double bonds produced by partial hydrogenation, linked to…
- PhospholipidsMolecules with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails that form cell membranes.
- CholesterolA steroid in membranes and a precursor to hormones.
- DNA ReplicationThe semi-conservative copying of DNA by polymerase enzymes.
- Transcription and TranslationDNA is transcribed to RNA, which is translated into protein by ribosomes.
- Genetic CodeTriplets of nucleotides called codons specify amino acids.
- PCRPolymerase chain reaction amplifies DNA through repeated heating and cooling cycles.
- CRISPRA genome-editing tool based on bacterial defence systems.
- GlycolysisGlucose is broken into pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH.
- Krebs CycleA cycle oxidizing acetyl-CoA to CO2 producing NADH, FADH2 and ATP.
- Oxidative PhosphorylationThe electron transport chain drives ATP synthesis using a proton gradient.
- Light ReactionsChlorophyll absorbs light to make ATP and NADPH and release oxygen.
- Calvin CycleCarbon fixation using ATP and NADPH to build sugars.
- Maillard ReactionReaction of amino acids and sugars producing browning and flavor.
- KevlarAn aramid polymer with exceptional strength due to hydrogen bonding.
- CopolymersPolymers made from two or more different monomers.
- Polymer Molecular WeightPolymers have a distribution of chain lengths described by average molar mass.
- Smart MaterialsMaterials that respond to stimuli such as shape-memory alloys.
- BiomaterialsMaterials designed to interact with biological systems, like implants.
- Biochemical Oxygen DemandThe oxygen consumed by microbes decomposing organic matter in water.
- BioaccumulationConcentration of toxins increases up food chains.
- Carbon CaptureCapturing CO2 from emissions and storing it underground.
- Green HydrogenHydrogen produced by electrolysis powered by renewable electricity.
- Nuclear WasteRadioactive byproducts requiring long-term safe storage.
- Chemical Engineering BasicsDesign and scale-up of chemical processes using mass and energy balances.
- Chemical ReactorsBatch, CSTR and plug flow reactors handle reactions at industrial scale.
- Process SafetyHazard analysis prevents chemical accidents.
- Green Chemistry in IndustryDesigning processes with less waste and safer reagents.
- Atom EconomyThe fraction of reactant atoms that end in the desired product.
- NanochemistryChemistry of nanoscale materials and reactions.
- Supramolecular ChemistryStudy of noncovalent assemblies such as host-guest complexes.
- Click ChemistryEfficient modular reactions such as azide-alkyne cycloaddition.
- Chemical BiologyApplying chemical tools to probe and manipulate biological systems.
Frequently asked questions about Biochemistry, Environment & Industry
How many topics are in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry?
Biochemistry, Environment & Industry has 127 topics, from beginner to intermediate to advanced level.
Where should I start in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry?
Start with Biomolecules at the beginner level, then work through the topics in order.
Does every topic have an explanation and an example?
Yes. Each topic page has an in-depth explanation, a worked example, FAQs and links to related topics.