CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

coenzyme a    →   koenzim a

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential metabolic cofactor synthesized from cysteine, pantothenate (vitamin B5), and ATP. CoA plays important roles in many metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids. One of the main functions of CoA is the carrying and transfer of acyl groups. Acylated derivatives (acetyl-CoA) are critical intermediates in many metabolic reactions.

Contat-Gockel’s valve    →   Contat-Gockelov ventil

Contat-Göckel’s valve is used for maintenance of inert atmosphere in a flask. The valve is filled with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) so that the end of the tube is covered. Solution inside the valve keeps the flask contents away from the oxygen influence from air. If low pressure is created inside the flask (when the flask is cooled), the solution will penetrate inside it from funnel and in a reaction with acid CO₂ is generated which fills up the flask.

Solution from the funnel will keep penetrating until CO₂ pressure in the flask is equalised with the outer pressure.

glyceride    →   glicerid

Glycerides are esters of glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) with fatty acids, widely distributed in nature. They are by a long-established custom subdivided into triglycerides, 1,2- or 1,3-diglycerides, and 1- or 2- monoglycerides, according to the number and positions of acyl groups.

lipase    →   lipaza

Lipase is an enzyme, secreted by the pancreas and the glands of the small intestine that breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids during digestion.

oil    →   ulje

Oils are triglycerides containing a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids.

saponification    →   saponifikacija

Saponification is a proces of hydrolysis of esters using hot sodium hydroxide solution to produce the salt of a carboxylic acid. Saponification usually refers to the hydrolysis of esters of fatty acids to manufacture soaps.

soap    →   sapun

Soap is a salt of a fatty acid. For example, sodium stearate is a soap made by neutralizing stearic acid. Commercial soaps are mixtures of fatty acid salts.

wax    →   vosak

Wax is an ester formed from long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that is usually solid at room temperature.

tryglyceride    →   triglicerid

Triglyceride is an ester of glycerol and three fatty acids. It is the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats. The fatty acids attached to the glycerol can be the same or different. Natural fatty acids found in plants and animals are typically composed only of even numbers of carbon atoms (usually from 16 to 20) due to the way they are bio-synthesized from acetyl CoA.

acid halide    →   kiselinski halogenid

Acid halide is organic compound containing the group -COX where X is a halogen atom.