Online Chemistry Notes for Students
Anupama Sapkota 
Cofactors Definition A cofactor is the non-protein part of an enzyme that is essential for the enzyme’s activity as a catalyst. Cofactors, together with the apoenzyme (protein component), form the complete enzyme (holoenzyme). The removal of the cofactor from an enzyme results in the loss of enzymatic activity. Cofactors can … Read more
Amylase Definition Amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch to form smaller sugar units by breaking down the glycosidic linkages between glucose units. Amylases are of two types; α-amylase and β-amylase that hydrolyze α- and β-linkages present in the starch molecule, respectively. Besides α- and β-amylases, a … Read more
Amine Definition Amines are derivates of ammonia where one or more hydrogen atoms bonded to the nitrogen atom are replaced by a substituent like and alkyl or aryl group to form organic compounds. Amines are important organic compounds as these form amino acids and proteins, which are basic building blocks … Read more
Aldoses Definition An aldose is a monosaccharide consisting of a carbon backbone and a carbonyl group at carbon-1, resulting in an aldehyde group. The general formula of aldoses is the same as most carbohydrates, Cn(H2O)n. The carbon atoms in the carbon backbone are each bonded to a hydroxyl group. All … Read more
Atomic Mass Definition Atomic mass is the mass of an atom or an isotope which includes the total mass of the nucleus and the electrons present in the periphery. Most of the contribution is made by the nucleus as it contains the heavier subatomic particles, while lesser contributions are made … Read more
Atom Definition An atom is the smallest unit of matter composed of a nucleus and one or more electrons present around the nucleus. The atom is characteristic of the chemical element and is often considered the basic building block of chemistry. The atom consists of a large empty space while … Read more
Aromatic Compounds Aromatic compounds are compounds that belong to a large class of unsaturated chemical compounds that are defined by the presence of one or more planar rings of atoms linked together by covalent bonds. The stability of aromatic compounds is referred to as the aromaticity of the compounds as … Read more
Acidic Amino Acids Definition Acidic amino acids are those amino acids that have a carboxylic acid group on their side chains at neutral pH, resulting in acidic properties in the molecule. Acidic amino acids have an additional carboxylic group (COOH) in addition to the one present on the linear chain. … Read more
Amylose Definition Amylose is a polysaccharide consisting of α-D-glucose units that are linked together by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds. An amylose is an essential form of resistant starch that is more resistant to digestion than other starch molecules. The tightly packed helical structure of the molecule aids in its resistance. The … Read more
Alkali Definition Alkali is a basic soluble hydroxide of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals. These are strong bases that share most of the characteristics of bases like the formation of neutral salts with acids and the conversion of red litmus paper into the blue. The term alkali is derived … Read more