OsmolyteOsmolytes are low-molecular-weight organic compounds that influence the properties of biological fluids. Osmolytes are a class of organic molecules that play a significant role in regulating osmotic pressure and maintaining cellular homeostasis in various organisms, particularly in response to environmental stressors. Their primary role is to maintain the integrity of cells by affecting the viscosity, melting point, and ionic strength of the aqueous solution.
CytosolThe cytosol, also known as cytoplasmic matrix or groundplasm, is one of the liquids found inside cells (intracellular fluid (ICF)). It is separated into compartments by membranes. For example, the mitochondrial matrix separates the mitochondrion into many compartments.
Reactive oxygen speciesIn chemistry and biology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2), water, and hydrogen peroxide. Some prominent ROS are the hydroperoxide radical or hydroperoxyl (HO2), superoxide (O2), the hydroxyl radical (OH), and singlet oxygen (O2). ROS are pervasive because they are readily produced from O2, which is abundant.
CryptobiosisCryptobiosis or anabiosis is a metabolic state in extremophilic organisms in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygendeficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all measurable metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. When environmental conditions return to being hospitable, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was prior to cryptobiosis.
Transport proteinA transport protein (variously referred to as a transmembrane pump, transporter, escort protein, acid transport protein, cation transport protein, or anion transport protein) is a protein that serves the function of moving other materials within an organism. Transport proteins are vital to the growth and life of all living things. There are several different kinds of transport proteins.
Brine shrimpArtemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans also known as brine shrimp. It is the only genus in the familyArtemiidae. The first historical record of the existence of Artemia dates back to the first half of the 10th century in Lake Urmia, Iran, with an example called an "aquatic dog" by an Iranian geographer. The first documented unambiguous record is the report and drawings made by Schlösser in 1757 of animals from Lymington, England.
Osmotic concentrationOsmotic concentration, formerly known as osmolarity, is the measure of soluteconcentration, defined as the number of (Osm) of solute per litre (L) of solution (osmol/L or Osm/L). The osmolarity of a solution is usually expressed as Osm/L (pronounced "osmolar"), in the same way that the molarity of a solution is expressed as "M" (pronounced "molar").
Osmotic shockOsmotic shock or osmotic stress is physiologic dysfunction caused by a sudden change in the solute concentration around a cell, which causes a rapid change in the movement of water across its cell membrane. Under isotonic conditions, no net movement of water occurs. Under hypertonic conditions - conditions of high concentrations of either salts, substrates or any solute in the supernatant - water is drawn out of the cells through osmosis.
BetaineA betaine () is any neutral chemical compound with a positively charged cationicfunctional group that bears no hydrogen atom, such as a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation (generally: onium ions), and with a negatively charged functional group, such as a carboxylate group that may not be adjacent to the cationic site. They are thus zwitterions, but cannot isomerize because there is no labile hydrogen atom attached to the nitrogen atom.PolyolIn organic chemistry, a polyol is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups (−OH). The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings depending on whether it is used in food science or polymer chemistry. Polyols containing two, three and four hydroxyl groups are diols, triols, and tetrols, respectively.
TardigradeTardigrades (), also known as water bears or moss piglets, are a phylum of eight-legged segmentedmicro-animals. They were first described by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who called them Kleiner Wasserbär'little water bear'. In 1776, the Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani named them Tardigrada, which means "slow walkers".
Transcription factorIn molecular biology, a transcription factor (TF) (or sequence-specific DNA-binding factor) is a protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to DNA sequences. Specificity can be due to sequence motifs, or epigenetic modifications.
CytosolThe cytosol, also known as cytoplasmic matrix or groundplasm, is one of the liquids found inside cells (intracellular fluid (ICF)). It is separated into compartments by membranes. For example, the mitochondrial matrix separates the mitochondrion into many compartments.Reactive oxygen speciesIn chemistry and biology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2), water, and hydrogen peroxide. Some prominent ROS are the hydroperoxide radical or hydroperoxyl (HO2), superoxide (O2), the hydroxyl radical (OH), and singlet oxygen (O2). ROS are pervasive because they are readily produced from O2, which is abundant.CryptobiosisCryptobiosis or anabiosis is a metabolic state in extremophilic organisms in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygendeficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all measurable metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. When environmental conditions return to being hospitable, the organism will return to its metabolic state of life as it was prior to cryptobiosis.Transport proteinA transport protein (variously referred to as a transmembrane pump, transporter, escort protein, acid transport protein, cation transport protein, or anion transport protein) is a protein that serves the function of moving other materials within an organism. Transport proteins are vital to the growth and life of all living things. There are several different kinds of transport proteins.Brine shrimpArtemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans also known as brine shrimp. It is the only genus in the familyArtemiidae. The first historical record of the existence of Artemia dates back to the first half of the 10th century in Lake Urmia, Iran, with an example called an "aquatic dog" by an Iranian geographer. The first documented unambiguous record is the report and drawings made by Schlösser in 1757 of animals from Lymington, England.Osmotic concentrationOsmotic concentration, formerly known as osmolarity, is the measure of soluteconcentration, defined as the number of (Osm) of solute per litre (L) of solution (osmol/L or Osm/L). The osmolarity of a solution is usually expressed as Osm/L (pronounced "osmolar"), in the same way that the molarity of a solution is expressed as "M" (pronounced "molar").Osmotic shockOsmotic shock or osmotic stress is physiologic dysfunction caused by a sudden change in the solute concentration around a cell, which causes a rapid change in the movement of water across its cell membrane. Under isotonic conditions, no net movement of water occurs. Under hypertonic conditions - conditions of high concentrations of either salts, substrates or any solute in the supernatant - water is drawn out of the cells through osmosis.BetaineA betaine () is any neutral chemical compound with a positively charged cationicfunctional group that bears no hydrogen atom, such as a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation (generally: onium ions), and with a negatively charged functional group, such as a carboxylate group that may not be adjacent to the cationic site. They are thus zwitterions, but cannot isomerize because there is no labile hydrogen atom attached to the nitrogen atom.PolyolIn organic chemistry, a polyol is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups (−OH). The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings depending on whether it is used in food science or polymer chemistry. Polyols containing two, three and four hydroxyl groups are diols, triols, and tetrols, respectively.TardigradeTardigrades (), also known as water bears or moss piglets, are a phylum of eight-legged segmentedmicro-animals. They were first described by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who called them Kleiner Wasserbär'little water bear'. In 1776, the Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani named them Tardigrada, which means "slow walkers".Transcription factorIn molecular biology, a transcription factor (TF) (or sequence-specific DNA-binding factor) is a protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to DNA sequences. Specificity can be due to sequence motifs, or epigenetic modifications.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.