Search the Internet for one specific example of an enzyme found in living cells, and briefly describe its importance: where is it found and what reaction does it facilitate?
On my search for enzymes, I ran across a class of enzymes called sirtuins. These are enzymes found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These enzymes affect cellular membranes. One specific enzyme in this class is the sir2 enzyme. It is found in yeast, roundworms, and fruitflies. These enzymes are believe to be able to control aging. Basically, overexpression of this enzyme, sir2, would increase the lifespan of the cell about 30%.
There have been sucessful experiment conducted that prove this to be accurate with yeast, roundworms, and fruitflys. Currently, experiments are being conducted on mice to see if this reaction still hold true.
For more information search for Sir2 on wikipedia.
-Billy
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
# 3-1 Kitchen Chemistry/Biology
Search your kitchen for food and the chemicals that are found in your food. List three different chemicals found as part of or in your foods, spice or specific compounds used as cooking ingredients which can be found in your kitchen. If possible, list compounds that others in the class have not already. This may be "trickier" than it looks... hint, do not list plant parts like "peanuts", "mint leaves", "tomatoes", etc. that are themselves made of many chemicals. You can list a chemical component found within peanuts or tomatoes, etc. For each chemical you list, (1) what food was it in or associated with, (2) is it "organic" or "inorganic" (using the correct chemical definitions), and if it is organic, (3) is it "protein", "lipid", "carbohydrate", "nucleic acid", or some "other" organic chemical. Also, briefly describe your kitchen search experience in completing this blog assignment. (How did you find and determine the chemicals you listed.)
Alright, so I went in my pantry looking at all the different kinds of foods I had. I sorta knew what i wanted to find, like I knew most of the foods I have have salt and that is a chemical so i look at the peanut butter I have and it says it contains Sodium, which is NaCl - Sodium Chloride. This chemical, NaCl, is not organic because it doesn't contain Carbon.
That was really the only chemical that I initially thought of. So them I looked in the ingredients for the jelly that I had and it said it contains Citric Acid. I know that Citric Acid is a chemical, but I had to do a little research to find out if it was organic or not. So I used Wikipedia and sure enough Citric Acid is organic. The Molecular formula for Citric Acid is C6H8O7. So since it contains Carbon, we can conclude that it is organic. As for whether it is a lipic, carbohydrate, nucleic acid or other organic chemical. I am going to have to say it is just some other organic chemical.
For the third chemical I decided i would look at the ingredients for the tuna that was sitting on my shelf. I noticed that there was Pyrophosphate in the tuna. I think that it is part of the broth in the can. Well just like the Citric Acid, I had to do a little research. So I turned to my trusty steed, Wikipedia, again and found out that Pyrophosphate is an acid anhydride of phosphate. The molecular stucture is P2O74− and since it doesn't contain Carbon, we can say that Pyrophosphate is not organic.
So thats about it. If you have any thought feel free to share.
-Billy
Alright, so I went in my pantry looking at all the different kinds of foods I had. I sorta knew what i wanted to find, like I knew most of the foods I have have salt and that is a chemical so i look at the peanut butter I have and it says it contains Sodium, which is NaCl - Sodium Chloride. This chemical, NaCl, is not organic because it doesn't contain Carbon.
That was really the only chemical that I initially thought of. So them I looked in the ingredients for the jelly that I had and it said it contains Citric Acid. I know that Citric Acid is a chemical, but I had to do a little research to find out if it was organic or not. So I used Wikipedia and sure enough Citric Acid is organic. The Molecular formula for Citric Acid is C6H8O7. So since it contains Carbon, we can conclude that it is organic. As for whether it is a lipic, carbohydrate, nucleic acid or other organic chemical. I am going to have to say it is just some other organic chemical.
For the third chemical I decided i would look at the ingredients for the tuna that was sitting on my shelf. I noticed that there was Pyrophosphate in the tuna. I think that it is part of the broth in the can. Well just like the Citric Acid, I had to do a little research. So I turned to my trusty steed, Wikipedia, again and found out that Pyrophosphate is an acid anhydride of phosphate. The molecular stucture is P2O74− and since it doesn't contain Carbon, we can say that Pyrophosphate is not organic.
So thats about it. If you have any thought feel free to share.
-Billy
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Characteristics of NON-life Challenge!
By definition, a living organism possesses all of the characteristics of life, yet in some respects, biologists are still pondering and defining what life is? Here, we will use a not-too-scientific activity to better understand the characteristics of life. Please consider the following and participate fully. There are many objects that seemingly possess one or more of the characteristics of life, but are not seriously considered to be "alive" by most people (nor by biologists).
1) To play with this concept a "bit", please name a common object or substance that "seems" to "reproduce" - BUT IS NOT LIVING.
2) Name a common object or material that seems to show "growth" - but is not living.
3) Name a common object or material that seems to have "metabolism" - but is not living. In this case, you can name anything in which chemical reactions occur; however, keep in mind that metabolism is by definition chemical reactions that occur within living organisms.
4) Name a common object or material that shows "respond to stimuli" - but is not living.
and:
5) Name a common object or material that seems to "mutate" - but is not living. You may include here any object that changes form or function, but keep in mind that true mutation involves nucleic acids.
This is hard, but here I go:
1. The only thing I can think of that can seem to reproduce, but isn't living is music. We can burn cd's to create more than one of them.
2. Clothes seem to grow or shrink when you wash them or wear them.
3. Maybe when you mix vinegar and baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction but the compound is not living.
4. Iron responds to magnetics, but is not living.
5. When you put clothes or some kind of clothe in water it expands and changes it form some what.
Well that's pretty much all I could think of. If there are any that you thought then feel free to post.
1) To play with this concept a "bit", please name a common object or substance that "seems" to "reproduce" - BUT IS NOT LIVING.
2) Name a common object or material that seems to show "growth" - but is not living.
3) Name a common object or material that seems to have "metabolism" - but is not living. In this case, you can name anything in which chemical reactions occur; however, keep in mind that metabolism is by definition chemical reactions that occur within living organisms.
4) Name a common object or material that shows "respond to stimuli" - but is not living.
and:
5) Name a common object or material that seems to "mutate" - but is not living. You may include here any object that changes form or function, but keep in mind that true mutation involves nucleic acids.
This is hard, but here I go:
1. The only thing I can think of that can seem to reproduce, but isn't living is music. We can burn cd's to create more than one of them.
2. Clothes seem to grow or shrink when you wash them or wear them.
3. Maybe when you mix vinegar and baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction but the compound is not living.
4. Iron responds to magnetics, but is not living.
5. When you put clothes or some kind of clothe in water it expands and changes it form some what.
Well that's pretty much all I could think of. If there are any that you thought then feel free to post.
Connections
What other "fields of study" are humans engaged in, that are not generally considered to be "biology" or to fall within the broader fields of the "biological sciences"? (Perhaps, you could pick your major to answer this question?) How do those fields relate to biology? Are they of value to biologists? Are they of value to us as humans? Are the biological sciences of value to them? Do they relate in any way? Pick one of these common "fields" and discuss it relative to these questions.
My major is Electrical Engineering. I think that this field can relate to biology. Electrical Engineering is a field that is enhancing the way the human race connects with each other. This field helps the communication of the human race and is enhancing the way we live. Although Electrical Engineering is a physical science, it does coincide with Biology, the study of life. Biologist can study how the human race is advancing and evolving by analyzing the field of Engineering and how humans think and communicate. As new inventions like cell phones and the internet have come into contact with humans our race has been able to communicate better and live life differently. Biologist can study this way of life and see effects that occur directly from Electrical Engineers.
I guess that is probably the only way I can relate Biology with Electrical Engineering. If anyone else can see another connection then feel free to post.
My major is Electrical Engineering. I think that this field can relate to biology. Electrical Engineering is a field that is enhancing the way the human race connects with each other. This field helps the communication of the human race and is enhancing the way we live. Although Electrical Engineering is a physical science, it does coincide with Biology, the study of life. Biologist can study how the human race is advancing and evolving by analyzing the field of Engineering and how humans think and communicate. As new inventions like cell phones and the internet have come into contact with humans our race has been able to communicate better and live life differently. Biologist can study this way of life and see effects that occur directly from Electrical Engineers.
I guess that is probably the only way I can relate Biology with Electrical Engineering. If anyone else can see another connection then feel free to post.
Monday, May 12, 2008
VARK Inventory Questionaire Results
Here are my results from the Questionaire:
I agree with these results. I am very much a visual learner, but I do learn new skills by a combination of visual and reading/writing. I can use these results to help me learn new information in the future now. I think that the part where it states that my score was Aural is relative. I can learn a lot from talking to other people, but when it comes to lectures in a classroom I have trouble sometimes paying attention to a strict lecture. When it comes to interactive and enthusiastic lectures then the material sticks better.
Anyway that is that. If you have any comments, feel free to post.
-Billy
Your scores were:
- Visual: 9
- Aural: 11
- Read/Write: 9
- Kinesthetic: 11
I agree with these results. I am very much a visual learner, but I do learn new skills by a combination of visual and reading/writing. I can use these results to help me learn new information in the future now. I think that the part where it states that my score was Aural is relative. I can learn a lot from talking to other people, but when it comes to lectures in a classroom I have trouble sometimes paying attention to a strict lecture. When it comes to interactive and enthusiastic lectures then the material sticks better.
Anyway that is that. If you have any comments, feel free to post.
-Billy
My Introduction
My name is Billy and I am a student at Sierra College. I have been attending Sierra College for 2 years and will be there for one more year. Before I transfer to a 4 year college, I will receive my AS in Physics. My goal though at a 4 year college is to receive a BS in Electrical Engineering. I am taking this class because I need a Life Science to fulfill my GE requirements.
My interests include outside activities like hiking, swimming and sports. I am kind of a computer nerd, but I'm working on that. I hope I can get to know my classmates and we can enjoy this summer class.
-Billy
My interests include outside activities like hiking, swimming and sports. I am kind of a computer nerd, but I'm working on that. I hope I can get to know my classmates and we can enjoy this summer class.
-Billy
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