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Echinochrome A
Echinochrome A, 7-ethyl-2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone is a polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinone, a type of pigments commonly found in sea urchin shell ("test"), spine, gonads, coelomic fluid, and eggs, of sea urchin Sea urchins () are spiny, globular echinoderms in the class Echinoidea. About 950 species of sea urchin live on the seabed of every ocean and inhabit every depth zone from the intertidal seashore down to . The spherical, hard shells (tests) of .... These type of pigments are commonly known as spinochromes and are natural marine phenolic compounds with known and various clinical effects and modes of action. First extracted from the sea urchin '' Scaphechinus mirabilis'', it is the active substance of histochrome and Echino-A. Histochrome is used for ophthalmic diseases and Ischemic heart disease. Echino-A has been used in nutraceutical form to diminish glucose levels, cholesterol and tryglicerides. The unique properties and the absence of adverse eff ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Test (biology)
In biology, a test is the hard shell of some spherical marine animals and protists, notably sea urchins and microorganisms such as testate foraminiferans, radiolarians, and testate amoebae. The term is also applied to the covering of scale insects. The related Latin term testa is used for the hard seed coat of plant seeds. Etymology The anatomical term "test" derives from the Latin ''testa'' (which means a rounded bowl, amphora or bottle). Structure The test is a skeletal structure, made of hard material such as calcium carbonate, silica, chitin or composite materials. As such, it allows the protection of the internal organs and the attachment of soft flesh. In sea urchins The test of sea urchins is made of calcium carbonate, strengthened by a framework of calcite monocrystals, in a characteristic "stereomic" structure. These two ingredients provide sea urchins with a great solidity and a moderate weight, as well as the capacity to regenerate the mesh from the cuticle ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
