Monday, September 29, 2008
AP Biology Practice Quiz Answers Enzymes and Photosynthesis
2. C 7. E 12. B 17. C 22. C
3. A 8. C 13. A 18. E 23. B
4. A 9. C 14. B 19. A 24. D
5. E 10. B 15. E 20. D 25. D
Saturday, September 27, 2008
2 Exam Essay Questions to Prepare for Chapter 6 & 7 Test on Monday September 29th!
See Document here for a comparison
2. If you isolate an extract from a tissue and discuss this sample can speed up the rate of reaction. How can you perform a series of test to determine if this extract contains enzymes?
Chapter 7 Notebook Quiz Answers
See Figure 7.12 page 118
In this answer you only need to discus the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. What is made in photosynthesis is used in cellular or aerobic respiration and what is produced in aerobic respiration is used in photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis makes glucose and oxygen which are used in aerobic respiration.
Aerobic Respiration makes carbon dioxide and water which is used in photosynthesis.
A discuss of trophic levels and how energy is passed from the sun to primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers makes your answer more complete and a discussion that energy is lost at each trophic level.
Question 3: What are the steps of the light dependent and light independent reactions. What are the raw materials (reactants) needed to start each step, the products made by each step, and where in the plant each step occurs.
You could begin to answer this question with a summary of both steps:
Light Reaction Occurs in Thylakoid Membrane Requires Sunlight and Water Produces ATP, NADPH, and Oxygen
Dark Reaction Occurs in Thylakoid Membrane Requires carbon dioxide, ATP NADPH Produces Glucose
The response could then go into more specific details:
Light Reaction
1. Light hits photosystem II - photons of light energy are absorbed.
2. Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen.
3. Oxygen leaves the plant through the stomata.
4. Hydrogen build up across the membrane.
5. Electrons are passed down the electron transport chain.
6. Light hits photosystem I and drives electrons down the electron transport chain.
7. Hydrogen is passed through ATP ase protein channel forming ATP from ADP.
8. The energy from the Electron transport chain allows NADPH to form from NADP and the free hydrogens that have entered the stroma.
ATP and NADPH are used in the Light Independent Reaction
Light Independent Reaction
1. Carbon Dioxide combines with RuBP to form 2 PGA
2. 2 ATP and 2 NADPH are used to make 2 PGAL
3. PGAL is converted to RuBP using 1 ATP.
4. It takes six turns of the Calvin Benson Cycle to produce 1 glucose molecule.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Enzyme Lab Sample Data - Part 4
KmNO4 | Time 10 30 60 90 120 180 360 | ||||||
| a) Base Line | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml | 4.6 ml |
| b) Final Reading | 7.5 ml | 8.7 ml | 9.6 ml | 11 ml | 11.2 ml | 11.3 ml | 11.35 ml |
| c) Initial Reading | 5.5 ml | 7.7 ml | 8.9 ml | 9.7 ml | 11 ml | 11.2 ml | 11.3 ml |
| d) Amount of KMnO4consumed (B – C) | | | | | | | |
| e) Amount of H2O2used (A – D) | | | | | | | |
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis Pre-lab questions
These are due Friday September 26th!
Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
Use your lab sheet to help you answer these questions.
1. What are the two main activities that we will perform in this lab?
2. Explain how chromatography works.
3. What is paper chromatography?
4. Name the pigment that we would expect to see near the solvent front and explain why it moves so quickly.
5. Which pigment would be nearer to the middle of a chromatography paper and why?
6. Which pigment would be nearer to the bottom of a chromatography paper and why?
7. What is the purpose of the chlorophyll a molecule in the plant?
8. What is the role of the other pigments?
9. Write a formula for determining the reference front of a pigment.
10. Which has more energy, short or long electromagnetic waves?
11. Briefly outline the steps that usually occur when light is absorbed by the pigments of an intact leaf.
12. If DPIP is a blue color, has light been absorbed by the chlorophyll?
13. What color will DPIP appear to be if photosynthesis is taking place?
14. Which instrument will be used to measure the transmittance of light so that we can measure the amount of photosynthesis occurring?
15. Do you expect to see more or less transmittance of light if photosynthesis is actually occurring?
16. Four test tubes (cuvettes) will be used in this experiment.
What is the purpose of tube 1? Tube 2? Tube 3? Tube 4?
17. In exercise 4B, what is the purpose of the water flask?
18. How will the curvettes by handled (held) and why is this necessary?
19. Why will we prevent light from entering one of our cuvettes?
20. Which cuvette do you expect to end up with the lighter color, the one that has boiled chloroplasts or the one with unboiled chloroplasts
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Photosynthesis Links
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~argus/Dreambio/photosynthesis/photosynthsis%20animation.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/methuselah/photosynthesis.html#
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Chapter 6 Questions - Due Thursday Sept. 18th!
Chapter 6 Questions Due Thursday Sept. 18th
1. What are two laws that govern the way energy is transferred from one substance to another.
2. What is an example of a metabolic pathway and explain what kinds of substances regulate activ¬ity of the pathway.
3. Tell exactly what enzymes do and how they do it.
4. How can enzymes can be controlled.
5. What is a “redox” reactions.
6. Explain how a molecule can “carry” energy.
7. Discuss how bioluminescence can be used as an indicator of metabolism.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Beak of Finch Discussion Questions
1. Explain how Darwin viewed the finches of the Galapagos when he first found them? Why did he feel this way?
Darwin did not specify which island he found the finches. Collecting finches was part of his hobby and not what he considered research. In his mind he found several variations of one species and not several different species. He belief at this time was that species could not change.
2. On what basis did Peter Boag base his desire to conduct an egg switching experiment on Daphne Major? What did he hope to prove?
He was interested in Environment vs. Genetics. Would the new born hatchlings act more like their surrogate parents or their genetic parents? He wanted to prove that genes control behavior.
3. What happened on Daphne Major after the drought of 1977? How was natural selection being put to use?
Large birds and large beaks were favored as well as male birds due to the abundance of larger seeds that were harder to crack open.
4. Explain the experiment of Dolph Schluster and the stickle back fish? What is he trying to prove? Disprove?
Stickle back fish when found in the same lake can be found at the top of the lake and the bottom of the lake. When there is no competition the separate species can live anywhere in the lake. Schluter has created artificial ponds and lakes to find out if evolution occurs the same with and without competition. Will new traits appear in the presence and absence of competition?
5. Explain what happened on Daphe Major after the flood of 1983, and how natural selection was at work.
Small birds and small birds favored as well as female birds – the exact opposite as before the flood.
6. The Grants have discovered that hybrids are thriving on Daphne Major, explain why.
The Grants believe they are watching evolution at work. After the flood of 1983 the hybrids have been able to successfully breed. This they believe is possible due to the change in the environment caused by the floods.
7. The Grants have many concerns for the finches, but the El Nino is one of the issues at the top of the list. Why?
Drastic changes in weather can speed the rate of evolution. It may change the plant population of an area, change the predator population, or change the prey population. All of these factors may affect the success of certain traits and features in an organism. If the cactus disappears on the island many finch will also disappear.
1. Creation vs. Evolution
The themes of creation are present in the book as the dialogue between Darwin’s time and the Grant’s time is exchanged. Until the research of the Grants there was no hard evidence that evolution can happen. It was viewed as a theory. Darwin himself had a strong belief in creationism until his theory of evolution became more refined and through his studies and research he believed it was possible for organisms to have an ability to fashion new traits based on a change in the environment. The debate continues today between evolutionist and creationist as to the origins of life and the variety of species that exist today. Many scientists who are Christian believe that God created life that was capable of changing through a species DNA.
2. History vs. Present
Historical evidence provided using phrases and quotes from Origin of Species allow the reader to link ideas Darwin developed with ideas that scientist today are now testing and collecting raw data for. Darwin had many ideas and theories that went unexamined through research. However, many of his theories have shown to be correct through the work of the Grants, Boag, and Shulster. The work of Charles Darwin continues to influence modern day evolutionary biologist and researchers in the field of genetics and chemistry
3. Natural vs. Laboratory Environment
The natural environment such as the Galapagos islands is a perfect arena for collecting data because it is pristine and untouched by man and much of the pollution that society contributes to the ecosystem. However, islands and alpine lakes are not always practical and available for research.
Important scientific research is also done in a laboratory environment such as the artificial ponds that are being made by Shulster. Here variables can be controlled and data can be collected on a regular basis.
The question is are the results the same in a natural and laboratory environment – what are the advantages and disadvantages of each setting?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Chapter 4 & 5 Resources
Part 2 Chapter 5 Powerpoint
Solutions Chapter 4 Notes
Cell Membrane Animation
Cell Membrane Animation
Cell Transport Animations
Diffusion Animation
Osmosis Animation
Plasmolysis Animation
Facilitated Diffusion Animation
Na/K Pump Animation
Endocytosis Animation
Exocytosis/Endocytosis Animation
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chapter 5 Questions & AP Lab #1 Outline
1. What is the structure of the plasma membrane? Draw and label in detail. What is the function of the plasma membrane?
2. Describe the main membrane proteins (Figure 5.6) and describe their functions.
3. What are the forces that cause water and solutes to move across membranes passively?
4. Describe the difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion. What kind of substances travel in each of these ways?
5. Describe the mechanisms by which substances move across the membrane against a concentration gradient (active transport).
6. Why is osmosis so important to cells? Describe an isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solution.
7. Make a concept map using the following terms:
cell membrane phospholipid diffusion passive transport
active transport osmosis Ca+ pump Na/K+ pump
bulk flow endocytosis exocytosis phosopholipids
receptor mediated endocytosis
Osmosis Lab Write Up Outline
Title: Original and Descriptive of the lab
Purpose:
1st paragraph: Include background information.
2nd paragraph: Discuss purpose of the lab and state your hypothesis.
3rd paragraph: Relate this lab to one or more of the major themes in Ap Biology.
There are 8 major themes in this course:
1. Science as A Process
2. Evolution
3. Energy Transfer
4. Continuity and Change
5. Relationship of Structure to Function
6. Regulation
7. Interdependence in Nature
8. Science, Technology, & Society
Procedure:
In paragraph form in detail describe the steps you took to design, construct, and analyze your data. Be specific and use units when appropriate and be sure to include how many trails were done and the amount of time it took to conduct the experiment. Include any drawings or diagrams of your set- up that may help the reader understand your design.
Analysis
Include at the beginning of this section a one to two sentence summary of your results.
In this section include tables, qualitative data in paragraph form, in a table, or with pictures and graphs.
For each table be sure to:
Include a specific title, include units - if appropriate.
For each graph be sure to:
Include a specific title, x axis, y axis - include a key.
Conclusion:
1st paragraph: Briefly discuss purpose of lab, procedure of lab - very briefly, and restate your hypothesis. Finally discuss briefly if your hypothesis was correct, incorrect, or inconclusive.
2nd paragraph: Use specific examples from your data tables to support your conclusion. The more examples you have the better.
3rd paragraph: Discuss experimental flaws or errors that may have occurred in the lab.
4th paragraph: Discuss how this experiment could be improved and what steps you could take to expand this research if you had more time or more resources available to you.
5th paragraph: Discuss the significance of this lab with regard to themes we have in AP Biology this year, with regard to the society we live in - why is this lab important? Does it have any implications for our lives? Why should this type of research be supported?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Chapter 4 Homework Questions
Due: Thursday September 4, 2008
1. What does the cell theory state and name and describe three features that all cells share.
2. How does the surface to volume ratio constrain cell size?
3. Compare and contrast the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
4. Draw a picture of each organelle and state its function. Also indicate if it is found in prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or both types of cell.
• Nucleus
• Nuclear Envelope
• Nucleolus
• Chromatin/Chromosome
• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Golgi Body
• Lysosome
• Peroxisomes
• Central Vacuole
• Mitochondria
• Ribosome
• Chloroplast
• Chromoplast
• Amyloplast
5. Compare and contrast the structure and function of the mitochondria and chloroplast.
6. Distinguish between the cell wall, primary wall, and secondary wall.
7. What are cell junctions and name and describe three common junctions in animal cells.
8. Distinguish between microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Discuss their structure and function. Do bacteria have a cytosketon?
9. Describe three ways cells can move.
No Quiz Next Friday: We will combine Chapter 4 & 5 and have that quiz on Sept. 12th!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Procedure to Make Up Quizzes
Make up quizzes must be taken before the next quiz is given.
I will post the day when I will administer the make up.
This week a make up quiz will be given on Thursday during lunch or Friday before school (7:15) or after school.
To take the make up quiz you must come to class with your quiz corrections.
I will have make up quiz review days every Tuesday.
This week I will give a make up quiz study session Wednesday during lunch.
Your new quiz grade will be a combination of the two grades.
Comments from Jonathan Weiner
http://www.aadl.org/video/view/2953
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Chapter 3 Practice Quiz Questions & Ch. 2/3 Homework Answers
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1) A molecule inside a cell consists of over 3,500 covalently linked atoms weighing about 105,000 daltons. From this description, the molecule can most specifically be described as a
A) macromolecule.
B) polysaccharide.
C) lipid.
D) polypeptide.
E) protein.
2) Polymers of polysaccharides, fats, and proteins are all synthesized from monomers by
A) connecting monosaccharides together.
B) the formation of disulfide bridges between monomers.
C) ionic bonding of the monomers.
D) the addition of water to each monomer.
E) the removal of water (dehydration reactions).
3) Which of the following best summarizes the relationship between dehydration reactions and hydrolysis?
A) Dehydration reactions occur in plants, and hydrolysis happens in animals.
B) Hydrolysis occurs during the day, and dehydration reactions happen at night.
C) Hydrolysis creates monomers, and dehydration reactions destroy them.
D) Dehydration reactions assemble polymers, and hydrolysis breaks them down.
E) Dehydration reactions can occur only after hydrolysis.
4) Carbohydrates normally function in animals as
A) energy-storage molecules.
B) the functional units of lipids.
C) sites of protein synthesis.
D) enzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes.
E) a component of triglycerides.
5) The 20 different amino acids found in polypeptides exhibit different chemical and physical properties because of different
A) amino groups.
B) side chains (R groups).
C) tertiary structure.
D) carboxyl groups.
E) Both A and B are correct.
6) The bonding of two amino acid molecules to form a larger molecule requires the
A) addition of a nitrogen atom.
B) release of a water molecule.
C) addition of a water molecule.
D) release of a carbon dioxide molecule.
E) Both C and D are correct.
7) Which bonds are created during the formation of the primary structure of a protein?
A) peptide bonds
B) hydrogen bonds
C) disulfide bonds
D) Only A and C are correct.
E) A, B, and C are correct.
8) How many different kinds of polypeptides, each composed of 5 amino acids, could be synthesized using the 20 common amino acids?
A) 5 B) 20 to power of (10) C) 5 to power of (5) D) 20 to power of (5) E) 20
9) Consider a polysaccharide consisting of 828 glucose molecules. The total hydrolysis of the polysaccharide would result in the production of
A) 828 glucose molecules and 828 water molecules.
B) 827 glucose molecules.
C) 828 glucose molecules and no water molecules.
D) 827 water molecules.
E) 827 glucose molecules and 827 water molecules.
10) Which of the following are polysaccharides?
A) glycogen and starch
B) glucose and sucrose
C) uracil and thymine
D) RNA and DNA
E) cholesterol and triacylglycerol
11) Which of the following is true of both starch and cellulose?
A) They can both be digested by humans.
B) They are both structural components of the plant cell wall.
C) They are geometric isomers of each other.
D) They are both polymers of glucose.
E) They are both used for energy storage in plants.
12) What is a fat or triacylglycerol?
A) a lipid made of three fatty acids and glycerol
B) a molecule formed from three alcohols
C) a carbohydrate with three sugars
D) a protein with tertiary structure
E) a kind of lipid that makes up much of the plasma membrane
13) Which of the following is true concerning saturated fatty acids?
A) They are the predominant fatty acid in corn oil.
B) They have double bonds between the carbon atoms of the fatty acids.
C) They are usually liquid at room temperature.
D) They are usually produced by plants.
E) They have a higher ratio of hydrogen to carbon than do unsaturated fatty acids.
14) The hydrogenation of vegetable oil would result in
A) an increase in the number of hydrogen atoms in the oil molecule.
B) a decrease in the number of carbon-carbon double bonds in the oil molecules.
C) the oil being a solid at room temperature.
D) two of the above.
E) all of the above.
15) Which type of lipid is most important in biological membranes?
A) fat B) oil C) wax D) triglyceride E) phospholipid
1) Answer: A 2) Answer: E 3) Answer: D 4) Answer: A 5) Answer: B 6) Answer: B 7) Answer: A 8) Answer: D 9) Answer: C 10) Answer: A 11) Answer: D 12) Answer: A 13) Answer: E 14) Answer: E15) Answer: E
1. How are protons, electrons, and neutrons arranged into atoms and ions.
Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the subatomic particles of atoms.
Protons carry a positive charge and they are located in the nucleus.
Neutrons carry no charge.
Electrons carry a negative charge and move around the nucleus.
When the number of protons and electrons equal other the element is said to be neutral.
If the element has more protons than electrons it becomes positive.
If the element has more electrons than protons it becomes negative.
Charged elements are called ions.
2. What are the properties of isotopes and how can these properties be useful to researchers.
Isotopes are atoms of an element that differ in the number of neutrons they contain.
Some are radioactive and unstable.
Some isotopes undergo radioactive decay and are considered radioisotopes.
3. Explain how the distribution of electrons in an atom or ion determines the number and kinds of chemical bonds that can be formed.
Ionic bonding can result when one element gives up an electron to become more stable and another ion accepts the electron to become more stable.
Covalent bonding can result when two elements share electrons to become more stable.
Hydrogen bonds form between a hydrogen and another molecule because hydrogen wants to accept or share one more electron. These bonds are very weak and break easily.
4. Know the various types of chemical bonds, the circumstances under which each forms, and the relative strengths of each type.
Covalent bonds are the strongest of the three bonds. When atoms share two electrons or more they are a covalent bond.
Ionic bonds are stronger than ionic bonds. When atoms give up electrons or accept electrons they are ionically bonded together.
Hydrogen bonds are the weakest and can easily break and form. They form between a hydrogen atom and a negatively charged atom in a different molecule.
5. What are some common substances that dissolve in water.
Water can dissolve ionic substances and molecules that have a charge – salt, anything that is a polar covalent bond. It does not dissolve oil because oil is nonpolar. Remember likes dissolve likes.
6. Discuss the unique properties of water that make it vital to living organisms.
• Water has temperature stabilizing effects. Our cells are mostly made up of water. They generate a lot of heat through metabolic processes. Because the hydrogen bonds are constantly moving in water molecules it is very hard to raise the temperature of water. This prevents the cells from boiling.
• Water is an excellent solvent. Water dissolves substances in your blood stream and gut all the time.
• Cohesion is a resistance to being stretched. This creates high surface tension which is observed when you throw a pebble on a lake. This property allows plants to pull water from the ground.
7. What is the relationship between acids, bases, and salts. Compare and contrast their properties.
• Acids donate hydrogen bonds.
• Bases accept hydrogen bonds.
• A salt is any substance that dissolves easily in water and releases ions other than hydrogen and hydroxide.
Chapter 3:
1. How can small organic molecules be assembled into large macromolecules by condensation? Describe how large macromolecules can be broken into subunits by hydrolysis.
A condensation reaction is responsible for building large molecules. An enzyme catalyzes the reaction between alcohol groups on adjacent monomer units (eg. glucose). This results in the production of a polymer and a molecule of water.
A hydrolysis reaction is responsible for breaking down large molecules (eg. digestion). An enzyme weakens the bond between two parts of a polymer, allowing for the insertion of a water molecule into the bond. This results in the production of monomers.
2. Name five functional groups and describe how they can change the property of a molecule when attached to it.
• Hydroxyl – OH – in alcohols – water soluble
• Methyl – CH3 – insoluble in water
• Carbonyl – CO (Ketone) – water soluble
• Amino – NH2 – water soluble – acts as a weak base
• Phosphate – P – water soluble – acidic
• Sulfhydryl – SH – helps stabilize protein structure
3. Describe the general structure of a monosaccharide, a fatty acid, an amino acid, and a nucleotide.
• Monosaccharides – simplest carbohydrate – one sugar unit – 2 OH groups bonded to their carbon backbone and one aldehyde or ketone group. – 5 or 6 carbon atoms that tend to form rings when dissolved in water.
• Fatty Acid – start as a carboxyl group attached to a backbone of as many as 36 carbon atoms. Each carbon in the backbone has one, two, or three hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to it.
• Amino Acid – small organic compound with an amino group – NH3, a carboxyl group COO, a hydrogen atom, and one or more atoms called its R group.
• Nucleotide – have one sugar, at least one phosphate group, and one nitrogen containing base. The sugar is deoxyribose or ribose.
4. Describe the monosaccharides – give an example of three and how cells use these molecules.
• Ribose used in RNA – 5 carbon atoms
• Deoxyribose used in DNA – 5 carbon atoms
• Glucose – 6 carbon atoms – an instant energy source.
5. What is an oligosaccharide and what is their function?
• Oligosaccharide is a short chain of covalently bonded sugar monomers.
• Proteins and lipids have oligosaccharide side chains which serve as flags and docks at the cell surface for identification.
• Common oligosaccharides include: lactose and sucrose.
6. What is a disaccharide (describe its structure) and give 2 examples of this molecule and describe how they are used in the body.
• Disaccharide consist of two sugar monomers and two examples are lactose found in milk and sucrose the most plentiful sugar in nature.
7. Describe the structure of a polysaccharide and name and describe four types found in cells and give their function.
• Polysaccharides are straight or branched chains of many sugar monomers – hundreds or thousands.
• Starch is a polysaccharide and is how plants store glucose
• Cellulose is tough, insoluble, and resistant to weight loads and mechanical stress.
• Glycogen is the sugar storage equivalent of starch. Muscle and liver cells store a lot of it.
• Chitin strengthens the external skeleton and other hard parts of many animals, including crabs, earthworms, insects, spiders, and ticks.
8. Describe the structure of the lipid and describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Describe three important lipids used in cells and describe their function.
• Lipids are fats which are made up of one, two, or three fatty acids dangling like tails from a glycerol molecule. It starts as a carboxyl group attached to a backbone of as many as 36 carbon atoms. Each carbon in the backbone has as many as 1, 2, or 3 hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to it.
• Phospholipids make up the cell membrane and make it semi permeable.
• Waxes have a firm consistency and repel water. Surfaces of plants have a cuticle that contains water. Waxes protect, lubricate, and lend pliability to hair and skin. Birds secrete waxes, fats, and fatty acids that waterproof feathers. Bees use honeywax for honeycomb, which houses new generations of bees as well as honey.
9. Describe the structure and function of proteins. Describe the difference in structure between the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.
• A protein is made of a chain of amino acids strung together and is held together by peptide bonds.
• A proteins primary structure is a sequence of covalently bonded amino acids that make up a polypeptide chain.
• The secondary structure results from chains being twisted into helical coils, sheetlike arrays, and loops.
• The tertiary structure results when the shape of the protein becomes structurally stable.
• The quaternary structure consists of two or more polypeptide chains associating with each other.
10. Explain why protein structure is so important. Describe how sickle cell anemia occurs.
Proteins can not function unless they stay coiled, packed, folded in a precise way.
Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. A hemoglobin molecule is made up of four tightly packed globins.
Each globin chain is folded into a pocket that cradles a heme group – a large organic molecule with an iron atom at the center. Heme carries oxygen.
Globin has two forms – alpha and beta. Two of each form make up the hemoglobin in humans.
In a beta chain glutamate is the sixth amino acid.
A DNA mutation sometimes inserts valine in this position instead.
Glutamate has a negative charge whereas valine is neutral.
One small patch of protein changes its polarity (polar to nonpolar).
Each person inherits two genes for beta globin – one from each parent.
If one is normal and one abnormal the person can lead a normal life.
However, if a person inherits two mutant genes – sickle cell anemia results.
Normally as hemoglobin returns to the lungs to pick up more oxygen hemoglobin will clump together. However, the mutant molecules do not form clusters – instead they form large rod shaped aggregates which are sickle shaped. These clog tiny vessels and disrupt blood circulation. Tissues become oxygen starved.
11. What is the difference between DNA and RNA?
DNA consists of two nucleotide strands joined by hydrogen bonds and twisted as a double helix. Contains Deoxyribose – can not leave the nucleus.
RNA is a single stranded nucleic acid. RNA can leave the nucleus, RNA has ribose.
Animations for Chapter 2 & 3
http://cwx.prenhall.com/petrucci/medialib/media_portfolio/text_images/086_ProteinsAmino.MOV
Sickle Cell Anemia Animation
http://www.dnai.org/text/mediashowcase/index2.html?id=609
