Category: Biochemistry

Over 90% of folate in human plasma circulates as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which is the primary active form of folate in the body. This critical B vitamin, known as folic acid in its synthetic form, must be converted into its coenzyme form to perform essential functions such as DNA synthesis and repair.

According to the National Institutes of Health, thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) is a cofactor for multiple critical enzymes in metabolic pathways, including the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. This complex is responsible for the crucial reaction that converts pyruvate into acetyl CoA, effectively linking glycolysis to the citric acid cycle.

The critical methylation step in the synthesis of thymine, a fundamental component of DNA, is made possible by specific coenzymes. The primary coenzymes of thymine synthesis are derivatives of folate and flavin, which are crucial for this essential metabolic pathway.

In the human body, B6 phosphate, also known as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), acts as an indispensable coenzyme for over 140 different enzyme reactions. This active form of vitamin B6 is essential for numerous physiological functions, including the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

While essential amino acids get all the attention for their dietary importance, the so-called non-essential amino acids are anything but unimportant. Despite the body's ability to produce them, these compounds are crucial for countless physiological processes, including immune function, detoxification, and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters. Understanding why we need non-essential amino acids reveals their indispensable role in maintaining overall health and biological balance.

According to the World Health Organization, over two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, highlighting the critical role these nutrients play in global health. To understand their function and impact, it's essential to first grasp the distinction: what are organic and inorganic micronutrients?

Over 150 enzymatic reactions in the human body rely on a crucial coenzyme. A transaminase requires a specific form of Vitamin B6, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), to function, facilitating the transfer of amino groups in amino acid metabolism.

Did you know that the average human body recycles a substantial portion of its proteins each day? The complete process to break down amino acids begins with proteolysis, the breakdown of the larger protein chain, and concludes with deamination, the removal of the amino group from the individual amino acid.

The human body is in a constant state of protein turnover, where existing proteins are broken down and new ones are built. These processes produce a variety of substances, but what are the breakdown products of proteins that are ultimately used or discarded by the body? The journey begins with digestion and continues through cellular metabolism.

While both are monosaccharides with the same chemical formula, the primary structural difference between glucose and galactose lies in the orientation of a single hydroxyl (-OH) group on the fourth carbon atom. This seemingly minor variation dictates their distinct properties, metabolic pathways, and roles within the body. From how they are sourced in food to how they are processed for energy, glucose and galactose behave quite differently within human biology.