Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, Part 1 - Bailey J., Ollis D. 1989

The Chemical Basis of Life
Biochemical Compounds of Mixed Structure

Many substances of biological origin that are of scientific or practical interest are difficult to classify into any of the compound classes discussed in the previous sections. These substances have a mixed Structure and are formed from lipid, sugar, and amino acid residues in various combinations. As shown in Table 2.11, compounds of mixed structure perform A number of important biological Functions. In the next section, we will discuss in more detail the chemistry and STRUCTURE OF THE outer envelopes of various Cells; these contain mixed compounds as well as specific Polysaccharides and Proteins.

Class="center">Table 2.11. Some Examples of biochemically important compounds of mixed structure, their main structural elements, and biological functions

Name

Structural elements

Cellular localization, function

Peptidoglycans

Cross-linked Disaccharides and Peptides

Bacterial Cell walls

Proteoglycans

CARBOHYDRATES (95%) and proteins (5%)

Connective Tissues

Glycoproteins

Carbohydrates (1—30%), the remainder is protein

Found in various sources, including Antibodies; Components of the outer envelopes of eukaryotes

Glycolipids

Lipids containing 1 to 7 sugar residues

Membrane components

Lipoproteins

In plasma lipoproteins, 1 to 50% protein, the remainder lipid

Membranes, Blood Plasma components

Lipopolysaccharides

Lipid and a highly variable oligosaccharide chain

Outer membranes

of Gram-negative

Bacteria


Last update: 06/08/2026

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