TOPICAL carbohydrate components

Biopolymers are the naturally occurring macromolecular materials that are the components of all living systems. There are three principal categories of biopolymers, each of which is the topic of a separate article in the Eniyclopedia proteins (qv) nucleic acids (qv) and polysaccharides (see Carbohydrates Microbial polysaccharides). Biopolymers are formed through condensation of monomeric units ie, the corresponding monomers are amino acids (qv), nucleotides, and monosaccharides, for proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, respectively. The term biopolymers is also used to describe synthetic polymers prepared from the same or similar monomer units as are the natural molecules. 

Panthenol is absorbed via passive diffusion after topical or oral application and then enzymatically oxidized to pantothenic acid. This is a component of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein, and as such of great importance in fatty acid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism. Deficiency leads to uncharacteristic symptoms such as headaches, apathy, gastrointestinal disturbances, palpitations, and paraesthesia typically in the feet, also known as burning feet syndrome. Wound healing is impaired. The recommended daily allowance is 5 to 7 mg.112... 

This chapter is divided into two sections. Section 6.1 is concerned with applications of Raman spectroscopy to biochemistry. Related topics to this section are found in Section 3.3.3 of Chapter 3 (SER spectra of dipeptides) and Section 4.1.2 of Chapter 4 (Raman (RR) spectra of peptides, proteins, porphyrins, enzymes and nucleic acids), Section 6.2 describes medical applications of Raman spectroscopy as analytical and diagnostic tools. In contrast to biochemical samples discussed in the former section, medical samples in the latter section contain a number of components such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, etc. Thus, Raman spectra of medical samples are much more complex and must be interpreted with caution. 

Previous chapters deal with several important topics, for example, the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and other molecules. However, the whole is not just the sum of its parts. Multicellular organisms are extraordinarily complex, more so than their components would suggest. Chapter 16 takes a wider view of functioning of the mammalian body. Initially, the division of labor that allows the sophisticated functioning of the multicellular body is considered. This is followed by a discussion of the feedingfasting cycle, a complex multiorgan process. Hormones and growth factors, the major tools of intercellular communication, and their mechanisms of action are then described. Chapter 16 also includes a discussion of diabetes mellitus, a disease that has widespread metabolic effects. 

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