Biosynthesis

Biosynthesis

Biosynthesis is a phenomenon wherein chemical compounds are produced from simpler reagents. Biosynthesis, unlike chemosynthesis, takes place within living organisms and is generally catalyzed by enzymes. The process is a vital part of metabolism.

The prerequisites for biosynthesis are:
*Precursor substances
*Energy (usually in the form of ATP).

Often required components include:
*Catalysts, usually enzymes
*Reduction equivalents (in the form of NADH, NADPH, and others).

Important and commonly-known products of biosynthesis include proteins, vitamins, and antibiotics, but all components of living beings are a result of this process. In the near future, it may be possible, with the help of biotechnology, to harness this process for the production of biodegradable plastics.


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  • biosynthesis — iosynthesis n. 1. production of a chemical compound by a living organism. Syn: biogenesis. [WordNet 1.5] 2. the production of chemical substances by use of reagents or enzymes derived from living organisms, in reactions modeled on those observed …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • biosynthesis — biosynthesis. См. биосинтез. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • biosynthesis — ► NOUN ▪ the production of complex molecules within living organisms or cells. DERIVATIVES biosynthetic adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • biosynthesis — [bī΄ō sin′thə sis] n. the formation of chemical compounds by the enzyme action of living organisms, as in protein synthesis biosynthetic adj. biosynthetically adv …   English World dictionary

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  • Biosynthesis of doxorubicin — Doxorubicin (DXR) is a 14 hydroxylated version of daunorubicin, the immediate precursor of DXR in its biosynthetic pathway. Daunorubicin is more abundantly found as a natural product because it is produced by a number of different wild type… …   Wikipedia

  • biosynthesis — noun Etymology: New Latin Date: 1930 the production of a chemical compound by a living organism • biosynthetic adjective • biosynthetically adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • biosynthesis — n. [Gr. bios, life; synthesis, composition] The formation of an organic compound by an organism …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

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