They are an important source of energy for plants, animals and humans. ... The protein hemoglobin carries oxygen to cells. ... They are a major constituent of most cells. ... RNA enables a cell to use the DNA blueprints to build proteins. ... Examples of steroids are cholesterol, which functions in many ways. ...
Also, organic compounds are responsible for governing ion transport channels in the cell, which function in carrying information from one cell to another, and mediating cell-to-cell communication. ... Agricultural and food chemistry uses both organic and analytical methods to continually develop new research regarding plant toxins, contaminates and additives, amino acids, foreign material, pesticide residue, etc. ...
Regardless of their route of entry, toxicants must first pass through a cell membrane or cell wall separating the external environment from the internal biological environment. The major barrier of uptake for a toxicant is the cell membrane or cell wall at the site of uptake, for example; cell membrane of gastrointestinal tract or skin, epithelial cell of gill and tracheae, or cell wall of plant root. ... These toxins pose many different health risks to humans as well as plants and animals. ... Benzene crosses the cell wall or membrane through passive diffusion. ... The liver plays a major ...
In plants the pectin naturally functions as a "glue" to hold the cell wall together and also to "glue" cells together (the middle lamella, the bit between neighbouring cells is rich in pectin so) degrading the pectin enzymatically also makes it easier to digest the cellulose and other molecules as well as releasing water (juice). ...
