The Difference Between Phenols and Carotenoids

The Difference Between Phenols and CarotenoidsAt some point or another, many students of biology and chemistry to find themselves feeling out of their depth when it comes to the essential elements of chemistry, like the basic difference between phenols and the aromatic rings. Phenols are actually essential components of the body, but instead of being the ring formation that some would have you believe, phenols are complex aromatic rings. You may not have the full comprehension of this concept at first, but understanding this simple concept will help you feel more comfortable with your knowledge in chemistry and biology.Phenols are a rather important aspect of biology and chemistry. Phenol is simply a group of phenyl groups bound together in a tight bond. Although phenols are often thought of as simply occurring naturally in plants, they are actually much more important in their own right than this. For example, phytochemicals, the compounds found in plants that can be beneficial for humans, have phenolic structures, and these are just two examples of the many forms of phenols.These rings are formed when two different phenols are joined together with two rings attached to each other, usually through hydroxyl groups on either side of the ring. Because these rings are so important, they are typically referred to as molecular complexes, but while this is technically correct, this does not really accurately define what the molecules are used for. In fact, a phenol is actually an acid containing phenyl groups attached to each other in order to form a ring.Phytochemicals are very important in the human body, especially because they can act as antioxidants. They are present in a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and help keep cells healthy and living at optimal levels. Another very important function of phytochemicals is that they are associated with a wide range of different diseases, including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, a nd Parkinson's disease.While a molecular complex is important, phenols are the most important. Phenol molecules are much more commonly found in humans than in any other animal, and even plants produce a small amount of phenols, usually as flavonoids. Interestingly enough, the molecule that is used as the chemical symbol for this group of compounds is known as PDCA-24. This molecule has a function in biology and chemistry in that it functions as a source of energy, and is also a major constituent of many enzymes.But, what makes phenols unique is that they can provide specific antioxidant activity. Many other antioxidants are able to function by simply attaching to the protein's surface, and are able to do little else. When phenol attaches to the protein, it can attach to the membrane that surrounds the protein and thus supply it with free electrons, which enables it to do its job.Essential vitamins such as vitamin E, C, and B are also available in a variety of forms. While some of th ese forms can provide other antioxidants besides the ones noted above, the fact that all forms are able to provide vital vitamins is the reason why they are considered essential. Vitamin B12 is vital for the proper functioning of the nervous system and is also important for vision, nerve transmission, and metabolism.While phenols are a component of all life on earth, there are a few different types of phenols that are able to be broken down to produce various products. Some of these products are necessary, while others are not. The types of phenols that are important to humans are known as phenolic acids, and these can be broken down into various forms for use in the human body.