CHONPS

Definition

CHONPS is an acronym representing six elements essential for living organisms - Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Sulfur (S). These elements make up the building blocks of biological molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Related terms

Biomolecules:

These are large molecules or macromolecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers. Examples include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Amino Acids:

These are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They contain both an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Nucleotides:

These are the monomers that make up nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). They consist of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.