Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Chlorophyll Definition Chlorophyll is a molecule produced by plants, algae and cyanobacteria which aids in the conversion of light energy into chemical bonds. Chlorophyll is known as a pigment, or molecule that reflects some wavelengths of light, while absorbing others. Pigments produce a variety of colors in the plant and animal world. Chlorophyll is a…

Chitin Definition Chitin is a large, structural polysaccharide made from chains of modified glucose. Chitin is found in the exoskeletons of insects, the cell walls of fungi, and certain hard structures in invertebrates and fish. In terms of abundance, chitin is second to only cellulose. In the biosphere, over 1 billion tons of chitin are…

Chemosynthesis Definition Chemosynthesis is the conversion of inorganic carbon-containing compounds into organic matter such as sugars and amino acids. Chemosynthesis uses energy from inorganic chemicals to perform this task. The inorganic “energy source” is usually a molecule that has electrons to spare, such as hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or ferrous iron. Like photosynthesis and…

Chemokines Definition Chemokines are signaling proteins secreted by cells of the immune system that stimulate the movement of other cells. Their name is reminiscent of their function since it is derived from chemotaxis, or movement in response to a chemical stimulus, and cytokines, which are small proteins implicated in cell signaling. That is, chemokines are cytokines that…

Chemoheterotroph Definition It may surprise you to learn this, but you are actually a chemoheterotroph! “Chemoheterotroph” is the term for an organism which derives its energy from chemicals, and needs to consume other organisms in order to live. That means you: your body gets its energy from food, and you must consume other organisms such…

Chemoautotroph Definition Chemoautotrophs are cells that create their own energy and biological materials from inorganic chemicals. In nature, “autotrophs” are organisms that don’t need to eat because they make their own biological materials and energy. This term comes from the Greek “auto” for “self” and “troph” for “to eat” or “to feed.” Autotrophs form the…

Chemiosmosis Definition Chemiosmosis is when ions move by diffusion across a semi-permeable membrane, such as the membrane inside mitochondria. Ions are molecules with a net electric charge, such as Na+, Cl–, or specifically in chemiosmosis that generates energy, H+. During chemiosmosis, ions move down an electrochemical gradient, which is a gradient of electrochemical potential (a…

Chemical Formula Definition A chemical formula is a notation used by scientists to show the number and type of atoms present in a molecule, using the atomic symbols and numerical subscripts. A chemical formula is a simple representation, in writing, of a three dimensional molecule that exists. A chemical formula describes a substance, down to…

Chemical Biology Definition Chemical biology is a scientific discipline that combines chemistry and biology by using chemistry and chemical techniques to study biological systems. The main difference between chemical biology and biochemistry is that chemical biology involves adding novel chemical compounds to a biological system, while biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions that naturally…

Channel Protein Definition A channel protein is a special arrangement of amino acids which embeds in the cell membrane, providing a hydrophilic passageway for water and small, polar ions. Like all transport proteins, each channel protein has a size and shape which excludes all but the most specific molecules. A generic channel protein is seen below, embedded within…