Bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs), bacteriohopanoids, or bacterial pentacyclic triterpenoids are commonly found in the lipid cell membranes of many
bacteria
Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among ...
.
BHPs are frequently used as
biomarkers
In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, p ...
in sedimentary rocks and can provide
paleoecological information about ancient bacterial communities.
See also
*
Hopane
Hopane is a natural chemical compound classified as a triterpene. It forms the central core of a variety of other chemical compounds which are collectively known as hopanoids. The first compound of the hopane family to be isolated and characteri ...
References
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Terpenes and terpenoids