The Building Blocks of Life explores and explains how these chemical substances and processes affect all plants, animals, and microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists. Students will learn how cells, energy, reproduction, and key chemical reactions make it possible for life to develop and thrive.

Table of Contents

• Examining basic chemical molecules
• Introduction
• Nucleic Acids
• Nucleotides
• DNA
• RNA
• DNA Metabolism
• RNA Metabolism
• Amino Acids
• Features of Amino Acids
• Standard Amino Acids
• Amino Acid Reactions
• Nonstandard Amino Acids
• Analysis of Amino Acid Mixtures
• Applications of Amino Acids
• Proteins
• The Importance of Proteins
• Structural Organization
• Isolation and Determination
• Physiochemical Properties
• Methods of Structure Determination
• Protein Denaturation
• Conformation of Proteins in Interfaces
• Types And Functions Of Proteins
• Classification
• Structural Proteins
• Muscle Proteins
• Fibrinogen and Fibrin
• Soluble Proteins
• Plant Proteins
• Proteins and Prosthetic Groups
• Protein Hormones
• Peptides with Hormonelike Activity
• Antibodies
• Enzymes
• Lipids
• Fatty Acids
• Fatty Acid Derivatives
• Cholesterol and Its Derivatives
• Lipoproteins
• Biological Functions of Lipids
• Carbohydrates
• Classification and Nomenclature
• Biological Significance
• Structure and Properties
• Classes
• Preparation and Analysis
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Examining biochemical reactions
• Introduction
• Chemical Reactions
• Cell Chemistry
• Basic Concepts of Chemical Reactions
• Classifying Chemical Reactions
• The Study of Biochemical Reactions
• Cellular Chemical Reactions
• Common Steps in Cellular Chemical Reactions
• Biological Energy Exchanges
• Metabolic Pathways
• Catabolism Of Sugars, Lipids, And Proteins
• Glucose Catabolism
• Catabolism of Other Sugars
• Catabolism of Lipids
• Catabolism of Proteins
• The Combustion Of Food Materials
• Oxidation of Molecular Fragments
• Biological Energy Transduction
• Anabolism
• The Stages of Biosynthesis
• The Supply of Biosynthetic Precursors
• The Synthesis of Building Blocks
• The Synthesis of Macromolecules
• Regulation of Metabolism
• Photosynthesis
• Early observations
• Overall Reaction
• Products of Photosynthesis
• Evolution of Photosynthesis
• Factors that Influence Rate
• Energy Efficiency
• Chloroplasts
• The Light Reactions
• The Conversion of Light Energy to ATP
• Carbon Fixation and Reduction
• The Molecular Biology of Photosynthesis
• Bioluminescence
• Biological Function of Bioluminescence
• Types of Bioluminescent Organisms
• Biochemical Events of Light Emission
• Biological Effects of Light
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Examining cells
• Introduction
• Cell Organization And Evolution
• Eukaryotes versus Prokaryotes
• Nature and Function of Cells
• Coupled Chemical Reactions
• Genetic Information
• Cells and Tissues
• Cell Evolution
• Cell Membranes And Cell Walls
• Cell Membrane Structure
• Cell Membrane Transport
• Plant Cell Walls
• Cellular Organelles
• Internal Membranes
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
• Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Golgi Apparatus
• Secretory Vesicles
• Lysosomes
• Microbodies and Peroxisomes
• Vacuoles
• Cell Communication
• Extracellular Matrix
• Cytoskeleton
• Recognition and Adhesion
• Chemical Signaling
• Signal Receptors
• Intercellular Communication Between Plant Cells
• Cell Division And Differentiation
• Duplication of Genetic Information
• Cell Division
• Cell Division Cycle
• Cell Differentiation
• Cell Death
• Cell Theory And Research
• The History of Cell Theory
• Tissue Culture
• Cryopreservation
• Tissue Engineering
• Stem Cells
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Examining fungi and protists
• Introduction
• Features Of Fungi And Lichens
• Importance of Fungi
• Size Range and Distribution of Fungi
• Structure of Fungi
• Growth of Fungi
• Nutrition of Fungi
• Lichens
• Reproduction And Ecology Of Fungi
• Reproductive Processes
• Life Cycles
• Ecology
• Types Of Fungi And Lichens
• Select Types of Fungi
• Select Types of Lichens
• Features Of Protists
• General Features
• Form and Function
• Ecology
• Evolution and Paleoprotistology
• Types Of Protozoans
• Classification Problems
• Select Groups of Protozoans
• Features Of Algae
• Size Range and Distribution
• Commercial Importance
• Toxicity
• Form and Function
• Evolution and Paleontology
• Types Of Algae
• Classification Features
• Select Groups of Algae
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Examining viruses and bacteria
• Introduction
• Features And Reproduction Of Bacteria
• Shape and Structure
• Cellular Features
• Reproduction
• Growth, Importance, And Evolution Of Bacteria
• Growth of Bacterial Populations
• Factors Affecting Bacterial Growth
• Bacterial Metabolism
• Biofilms
• Distribution in Nature
• The Relationship Between Bacteria and Humans
• Evolution of Bacteria
• Types Of Bacteria
• Methods of Classification
• Major Groups of Gram-Negative Bacteria
• Major Groups of Gram-Positive Bacteria
• Archaea
• Extremophiles
• Features And Evolution Of Viruses
• Host Range and Distribution
• Size and Shape
• Evolution
• Viral Infections
• The Cycle of Infection
• Integration of the Virus into the Host DNA
• Role of Viruses in Disease
• Controlling Viral Infection
• Types Of Viruses
• Classification Features
• Major Groups of DNA Viruses
• Major Groups of RNA Viruses
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• Bibliography