Part Three III › Division II II › Section 321 321

Chemicals and the Vital Processes

Subject Outline

AThe inorganic milieu of living systems
BOrganic chemicals participating naturally in the life processes
- 1Carbohydrates
- 2Lipids
- 3Proteins and peptides
- 4The major carrier of chemical energy: ATP
- 5Nucleic acids
  - aGeneral features
  - bDeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
  - cRibonucleic acid (RNA)
- 6Biological pigments and coloration
- 7Enzymes
- 8Vitamins
- 9Hormones
  - aGeneral features of hormones: relationship between endocrine regulation and neural regulation, the evolution of hormones
  - bThe hormones of vertebrates
  - cThe hormones and hormonelike substances of invertebrates: neurohormones, molting hormones, pheromones
  - dThe hormones of plants
- 10Other natural products: alkaloids, steroids and sterols, isoprenoids and terpenes
CDrugs: chemicals administered to an organism to change its physiological state or to combat pathogens
- 1Sources and development of drugs
- 2General aspects of drug action
- 3Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
- 4Classification of drugs by organ or organ system of principal effect
  - aDrugs affecting the cardiovascular system
  - bDrugs affecting smooth and skeletal muscle systems
  - cDrugs affecting the central nervous system
  - dDrugs affecting the autonomic nervous system and the eyes
  - eDrugs affecting the excretory system
  - fDrugs affecting the digestive system
  - gDrugs affecting the reproductive systems
  - hDrugs affecting the immune response system
    - iDrugs affecting the histamine response system
- 5Drugs directed against disease organisms
  - aDrugs derived from living microorganisms: antibiotics
  - bChemical compounds used to treat infectious diseases: chemotherapeutic drugs
- 6Drugs directed at the suppression of cancer
- 7Drug use and abuse: the nature of drug addiction and dependence [see 522.C.9.]
DEthyl alcohol, alcohol consumption [see 522.C.9.]
EBiocides and biorepellents
- 1Antiseptics and disinfectants
- 2Biocides directed by mankind against animal and plant pests
- 3Biotoxins produced by microorganisms, plants, and animals: microbial toxins, phytotoxins, zootoxins
- 4Biological and chemical warfare agents [see 736.A.6.]