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Related Concept Videos

Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid Buffer01:22

Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid Buffer

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The carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system is critical for maintaining the body's pH balance. It operates on the equilibrium:
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Aldehydes and Ketones with Water: Hydrate Formation01:20

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An oxygen-based nucleophile, like water, can undergo addition reactions with aldehydes and ketones. The reaction leads to the formation of hydrates, also referred to as 1,1-diols or geminal diols.
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
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Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Mechanism01:10

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Cyanohydrins are formed when cyanide nucleophiles and carbonyl compounds like aldehydes and ketones react. A strong base, the cyanide ion, catalyzes cyanohydrin formation. The ions are generated from HCN under aqueous conditions. Once the cyanide ions are generated, the first step involves the nucleophilic attack of the cyanide ions on the electrophilic carbonyl carbon. This attack shifts the π electrons from the C=O to the oxygen atom forming the alkoxide ion intermediate. The alkoxide...
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Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Overview01:32

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Cyanohydrins are compounds that contain –CN and –OH groups on the same carbon atom. They are formed by the nucleophilic addition of the cyanide ions to the carbonyl group. Cyanide ions are highly basic and nucleophilic and can be generated from HCN under aqueous conditions. However, since HCN is a weak acid, the number of cyanide ions generated is very small. Hence, a small amount of base or KCN/NaCN is added to HCN to increase the concentration of the cyanide ions in the reaction...
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Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes02:45

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Alkenes react with water in the presence of an acid to form an alcohol. In the absence of acid, hydration of alkenes does not occur at a significant rate, and the acid is not consumed in the reaction. Therefore, alkene hydration is an acid-catalyzed reaction.
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The Citric Acid Cycle: Overview01:37

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In aerobic organisms, the citric acid cycle is the second stage of cellular respiration wherein molecules derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are oxidized into carbon dioxide and energy. This process is also known as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle as the first product of the cycle, citric acid, contains three carboxyl groups in its structure. Alternatively, this cycle is also referred to as the Krebs cycle, in honor of its discoverer Sir Hans Krebs.
The citric...
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Introduction to Carbonic Anhydrase.

Clemente Capasso1, Claudiu T Supuran2

  • 1Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Institute of Bioscience and Bioresources (IBBR)-CNR, Naples, Italy. clemente.capasso@cnr.it.

Sub-Cellular Biochemistry
|April 30, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes crucial for biological processes and human health. Their diverse structures and functions are key to understanding their roles in medicine and environmental applications.

Keywords:
Biotechnological applicationsCO₂ hydration catalysisCarbonic anhydrase classesCarbonic anhydrase superfamilyEvolutionary adaptationIsoform-specific functionsMetalloenzyme diversity

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a diverse superfamily of metalloenzymes catalyzing CO₂ hydration.
  • Eight distinct CA classes (α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, ι) evolved independently for varied cellular conditions.
  • CAs are vital for physiological processes like acid-base balance, gas exchange, and carbon fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive introduction to carbonic anhydrases.
  • To explore the evolution of CA structure and function.
  • To highlight the diverse applications of CAs in medicine and biotechnology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on carbonic anhydrase biology, structure, and function.
  • Analysis of evolutionary adaptations in CA active sites and protein assemblies.
  • Exploration of current and potential applications of CAs.

Main Results:

  • CAs exhibit significant structural diversity and plasticity across eight classes.
  • Enzyme efficiency is critical for numerous biological functions and cellular homeostasis.
  • Dysregulation of CAs is linked to diseases including cancer and neurological disorders.
  • Evolutionary adaptations enable CAs to cope with environmental challenges like metal ion availability.
  • CAs are promising therapeutic targets for cancer, eye conditions, and infections.
  • CAs show potential in CO₂ capture and other biotechnological applications.

Conclusions:

  • Carbonic anhydrases are essential enzymes with broad biological significance.
  • Their evolutionary adaptability underpins their diverse roles and applications.
  • CAs represent a critical link between fundamental science, medicine, and environmental biotechnology.