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Common Molecules >
Biochemical Molecules
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Molecules of Life
Molecules essential to the human body like amino acids, nucleosides, and hormones are listed in this section. The amino acids are classified as essential and non-essential amino acids. The essential amino acids are those that must come from our diet and the non-essential are those that the body can synthesize. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which contains all of the genetic information for the body, is comprised of phosphates, deoxyribose and four purine or pyrimidine bases forming nucleotides and forms a double helix via base-pairing. The four bases involved are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a similar molecule but contains uracil instead of thymine. The Hormones are substances synthesized in the body and transported through the bloodstream to control numerous functions. They are found in almost every part of the human body (e.g., the pancreas, liver, heart, kidney, and skin). Included in this list are also vitamins and supplements important to the human diet.
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Amino acids
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Hormones
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Purine and Pyrimidine bases, Nucleotides and Nucleosides
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Vitamins
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Others
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Taste and Aroma
Taste and aroma are closely related. The four principal tastes perceived by the tongue are: Sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Aromas are perceived exclusively by the nose. In order to smell an aroma, the material must be volatile. The combination of taste and aroma is known as flavor. The molecules presented here have particular odors or tastes that can be used in the preparations of food and beverages, as flavor enhancer or preservative, and in the production of perfumes and cosmetics. Others are found in fruits or used as spices.
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Flavor and food preservatives, fragrances and perfume production
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Therapeutic Molecules
In contrast to biochemical molecules, the therapeutic molecules section includes those compounds ingested or injected to the body for medicinal purposes. These molecules can be used as or in the synthesis of drugs, disinfectants, anesthetics, or vitamins and supplements.
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Anesthetic, disinfectants, drugs and more
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