Preksha Dhyana Human Body Part 2

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 29

Hormones control and coordinate the activities of the cells, tissues and organs of the body. Nucleo-proteins are complexes of proteins and nucleic acids and carry the hereditary blueprints for all the body's structures and activities.
A continuous supply of protein is needed for growth of new and repair of old tissues. But the food proteins are not used as such. They are first digested and broken up into their constituent amino acids and then built up into the characteristic proteins of the body.
Nucleic Acids were first discovered in the cell nucleus (hence the name), but actually they are also found in the cytoplasm of the cell, outside the nucleus. The amount of information contained in the chromosomes (23 pairs) of a single human cell is estimated to "a thousand books of 500 pages" each. It is encoded in nucleic acid molecules. More than a dozen Nobel Prize winners have received their awards for work in the field of the chemicals of heredity.
There are several kinds of nucleic acids each with its own function in the cell. The master plans are carried in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)' molecules. Working parts of the plans are passed on through several types of RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and ultimately translated into proteins. DNA and RNA molecules are constructed from sugar, phosphate and nitrogen base components. Structurally they are similar in some respects and different in others.
Like proteins, the nucleic acids in foods are not utilized as such, but are digested into their constituents and resynthesized as needed.
The basic knowledge of the chemistry of life is essential to understnad and appreciate the importance of “Nutrition" needed for growth, development and health, and is discussed in the next chapter.
1. "Ribose' is a type of sugar with five carbon; 'glucose' has six carbons.
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