Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate V · Biochemistry and Nutrition · 01

Biochemistry basics

Enzymes are protein catalysts, usually named with an -ase ending. Cells split glucose into pyruvate by glycolysis, and aerobic respiration then yields far more ATP than fermentation. Oral bacteria ferment sugar into lactic acid, which dissolves hydroxyapatite. Fluoride can take the place of its hydroxyl group to form fluorapatite, and type I collagen is the main protein in dentin, cementum, bone and PDL.

High-yield facts · 5

  1. Enzymes are protein catalysts; most are named with the suffix "-ase."S49
  2. Glycolysis turns glucose into pyruvate; aerobic respiration (Krebs cycle plus electron transport) yields far more ATP than anaerobic fermentation.S49
  3. Oral bacteria ferment sugars into lactic acid, which demineralizes enamel.S37
  4. Hydroxyapatite formula: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; fluoride replaces hydroxyl to form fluorapatite.S44
  5. Collagen type I is the main protein of dentin, cementum, bone and PDL.S52

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.