Biochemistry
This is a page consisting of many different proteins, enzymes, and other compounds that may be helpful in creating lifeforms. Most of these are real, but some compounds here specifically originate from Sagan 4. If you have a chemical that you feel should be added, feel free to add it to the list for others.
Adhesives, Silks and Glues
Gossamer
Effect: Gossamer is protein fiber made to make silk. It can be used to build webs, cocoons, nests or just to help climb.
Example(s):
Lignin
Effect: Lignin is chemical that keeps flora leaves stiff. This stiffness makes the flora unattractive to most herbivores, and allows the leaves to grow taller without bending. It also makes the leaves pure yellow in color.
Example(s):
Divisives, Acids and Dissolvers
Chitinase
Effect: Chitinase are digestive enzymes that break down glycosidic bonds in chitin.
Example(s): Crystalsucker, Sternobrachia (EG Devorator)
Cellulase
Effect: Cellulase is a strong chemical that dissolves cellulose.
Example(s):
Amylase
Effect: An enzyme and a catalyst in turning starch into sugar.
Example(s):
Keratinase
Effect: Enzymes that digest keratin.
Example(s):
Bioluminescents, Phosphorescents, and Pigments
Luciferin
Effect: Luciferin is a biological substance which glows when oxidized. Some types of Luiferin emit UV and IR instead of visible light.
Example(s): Bioluminescent carpotestans (EG Carpotesta glutteriex, Carpotesta luceremundare)
Bacteriorhodopsin & Retinal
Effect: Retinal is a type of vitamin A that can be used as a method of photosynthesis. It absorbs yellow-green light and gives off a purple hue. It operates alongside bacteriorhodopsin, a protein that acts as a proton pump.
Example(s): Hexapodia (Kingdom)
Haemoglobin/Hemoglobin
Effect: An iron based oxygen-carrying metalloprotein. It is the most efficient known respiratory pigment. Blood is tinted dark red.
Example(s): Binucleid Worms
Chloro-carbonyl-bis(tri phenylphosphine)-iridium
Effect: An iridium-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It functions at roughly 50% of the efficiency of haemoglobin, but the process takes longer. Blood is tinted yellow when oxygenated but appears dull orange when deoxygenated. This molecule is light-sensitive and degrades in light when oxygenated. (Also notably capable of hydrogen-carrying as well)
Example(s):
Coboglobin
Effect: A cobalt-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It functions at roughly 40% of the efficiency of haemoglobin, but degrades much faster. Blood is tinted yellow-amber when oxygenated but appears light pink when deoxygenated.
Example(s):
Haemocyanin
Effect: A copper-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It functions at roughly 25% of the efficiency of haemoglobin. Blood is tinted blue-green when oxygenated but appears clear when deoxygenated.
Example(s):
Hemerythrin
Effect: An iron-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It functions at roughly 25% of the efficiency of haemoglobin. Blood is tinted purple-violet when oxygenated but appears clear when deoxygenated.
Example(s): Devorator, Midnight Gill, Terrorstar
Chlorocruorin
Effect: An iron-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It is much less efficient than haemoglobin. Blood is tinted green in low concentrations, but vivid red in high concentrations.
Example(s):
'Pinnaglobin'
Effect: A manganese-based oxygen-carrying molecule. It is much less efficient than haemoglobin. Blood is tinted brown.
Antifreeze Proteins
Effect: A substance that inhibits ice-crystal growth.
Example(s): Adorbalgae
Miscellaneous
Pellícere Protein
Effect: A Protein that many organisms descended from Carpotesta Pellícere uses to attract prey by leaving it out in the open for a cell to confuse as food.
Example(s):Carpotesta Pellícere, Carpotesta teneresca, Carpotesta multiteneresca, Lilstar, Carpotesta gretatimesca, Carpotesta glutterielux