Acids are compounds that add hydrogen ions to a solution, bases lower hydrogen ion concentrations. Buffers prevent changes in pH byabsorbing or releasing hydrogen ions. Can bond with other carbons to form chains or rings Forms covalent bonds with many other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen,hydrogen, allowing for an infinite number of molecular combinations. There are four major groups of biological compounds,each with different subunits. The diversity of subunits allows proteins to assume anenormous array of different forms and functions.
Proteins are the most diverseassemblage of biological compounds.
One of the most important classes ofproteins is enzymes . Enzymes accelerate the rate of a reaction, butthemselves remain unchanged by the reaction. Molecules that bind to the enzymeand undergo the change are called substrates , and the result of thereaction is called the product. Because of the way in which glucose molecules are linked incellulose, animal cells are unable to digest cellulose. Only bacteria can.