BiONO

BiONO is a scientific term that refers to a biological enantiomer, which is a type of stereoisomer. Enantiomers are molecules that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed on one another, much like a left and right hand. In biological systems, the specific three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule can have significant consequences for its interactions with other biological molecules, such as proteins and enzymes. Therefore, the chirality, or "handedness," of a molecule is often crucial for its biological activity.

Many biological molecules, including amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and sugars, exist as enantiomers. However, living organisms typically produce and utilize only one specific enantiomer of a given chiral molecule. This selectivity is a fundamental aspect of biochemistry and is often referred to as homochirality. For example, most amino acids found in proteins are in the L-configuration, while sugars are typically in the D-configuration. This preference can arise from the chiral environment within living cells, where enzymes themselves are chiral and can catalyze reactions that favor the formation of one enantiomer over the other. The study of biONOs is important in fields such as pharmacology, where different enantiomers of a drug can have vastly different therapeutic effects or even adverse reactions.