Essays on Amino Acid

Introduction:

Nanobiotechnology serves as an imperative technique in the development of clean, nontoxic, and eco-friendly procedures for the synthesis and congregation of metal NPs having the intrinsic ability to reduce metals by specific metabolic pathways. Silver nanoparticles are particularly interesting nanoscale systems due to the ease with which they can be synthesised and modified chemically. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been widely researched due to their interesting size and shape-dependent properties [26]. These novel properties can be tailored by controlling their size, shape, composition, structure and crystallinity. Due to their size features and advantages over available anti-microbial properties, chemical imaging ...

The critical importance of protein in nutrition and life of the human body was discovered by chemists in the early 19th century, they also came up with "international" name for these chemical compounds - "proteins", from the Greek protos - "first, chief". Proteins have the incomparable value in the human diet: first of all, they serve as "building blocks" for the whole body. In addition, they are responsible for the metabolic and regulatory functions in the body; serve as a basis for the creation of tissues, such as muscle fibers; perform transport functions in metabolic systems of the body, ...

Thin Layer Chromatography of Amino Acids

Introduction The technique used for this experiment was thin layer chromatography (TLC). TLC is used to separate components of a mixture (Clark, 2016). The purpose of this experiment was to identify an unknown amino acid. The components will have different affinities to the stationary and mobile phases. The various components will travel at different rates based on their affinity to either the mobile or stationary phase (Clark). A polar stationary phase is used in TLC experiments and the mobile phase can be a combination of solvents or just one solvent (psu.edu, n.d.). TLC can also be used to monitor ...

Introduction

We’ve learned that DNA is the genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents, but have you ever thought about what exactly this DNA encodes for? How do our cells use DNA as a set of instructions for life? How is the information in our DNA/genes used by our bodies? And what happens when the DNA is mutated or not used properly?

Materials

DNA sequence Computer with an internet connection Procedure Obtain your DNA sequence from your teacher. It will be emailed to you at the beginning of the week.

Convert your DNA sequence into a complementary mRNA sequence.

EXAMPLE: DNA: T A C G G C T ...

Transcriptional regulation of gene expression

Gene expression in eukaryotic cells is regulated at transcriptional, post transcriptional and translational levels (Tomizawa,  Lekstrom-Himes, and Xanthopoulos 17). Transcriptional control is the primary means of regulating gene expression. Eukaryotic transcriptional control functions at three levels: modulation of the activities of activators and repressors; variations in chromatin structure; and effect of activators and repressors on assembly of initiation complexes (Lodish et al. 368). Regulation of transcription initiation is the most widespread form of gene control in eukaryotes. However, in some cases, transcription may be attenuated and regulated at subsequent steps, such as during or after the transcription process (Cooper ...

Final Test

Explain in general terms the process of DNA replication. The replication of the DNA starts when the double helix unwinds. Each of the two strands serves as the template using which the new DNA double helix strands are formed. The different bases on each of the two strands are then matched in order to form a new set of two strands. Each of the new strands partners with the parent strand to form a double helix (Roth 26).

Prophase – Chromatids are joined at the centromere. Spindle formation occurs. The separation of centrioles occurs in animal cells (Tobin and Jennie ...

Vid30 complex participation in the degradation of CDC25 in yeast and their role in Ras/ cAMP/ PKA pathway

Background: Unicellular organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae in its total life cycle is exposed to diverse and changing nutrient conditions. Thus, in order to survive and achieve a competitive advantage, it has adapted itself such that it not only uses the wide range of available nutrient sources but also the sources that are nutrient rich. It mainly uses fructose and glucose by rapidly fermenting to alcohol. In response to these nutrient conditions, the intracellular trafficking transcription and turnover of protein from nutrient transporters (e.g. Hxts) get regulated. Therefore, when the availability of the glucose increases, the expression of low- ...

1. a. The pKa value of an amino acid is an indication of how strong or weak an amino acid is, based on the said acid’s dissociation constant. An amino acid that has a high pKa value is weaker than on that has a low pka value. Given that an acid’s dissociation constant is Ka, the pKa value is given by the formula: pKa = -log10Ka pH = pKa + log ([A-]/[HA]),It follows that for Cys12, 7.4= 7.2 + log([Cys-]/[HCys]) 7.4-7.2 = log([Cys-]/[HCys]) 0.2 = log([Cys-]/[HCys]) 100.2= Cys-/HCys Therefore, Cys-/HCys = 10-4Similarly, ...

Background

Wound healing is one of the most important processes in maintaining the health of a person. Multiple factors affect wound healing in humans regardless of age. A partial list includes diabetes, hereditary healing disorders, obesity, drugs, alcoholism, smoking and compromised immune condition. Infection, stress, nutrition, and radiation therapy can also contribute to delayed or incomplete wound healing (Guo & DiPietro, 2010). In the start of a wound, an inflammatory response is initiated. Blood vessels expand, helping white blood cells and nutrients to reach the wound. Wound healing is achieved through the processes of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Proper sequence ...

Introduction

Advances in research have brought a substantial progress in the field of nutritional therapy provisions. The current advancement has seen researchers combine Arginine and Proline dietary that have been fed to diabetic rats to accelerate wound healing in these mammals. A combination of the two nutrients has several important functions, which include; enhancement in wound healing and angiogenesis as well as improved repair of damaged tissues, help keep both cartilage and collagen production at optimal levels. It is also important in protein synthesis by working as a primary substrate, triggers cell proliferation when it breaks down to Polyamines and ...

Major Achievements in Biology

Researchers and scientists are always intrigued by biological processes and activities, and strive to utilize them for benefit of mankind. Antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and several therapeutic agents, high yielding as well as disease tolerant plants and animals are all results of extensive research in the fields of cell and molecular biology, immunology, biotechnology and genetic engineering. Treatment to several diseases, even genetic disorders are available today only due to breakthrough discoveries in biology. Three such important discoveries are revelation of structure of ribosomes through X-ray crystallography, identification of tumor specific antigens (TSA) expressed on the surface of cancer ...

INTRODUTION

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) is an enzyme that plays a significant role in the metabolism of dopamine (DA) and amounts to approximately 60% or more of DA breakdown in the frontal cortex . The gene expressing the COMT enzyme could affect cognition and functioning of the brain via its action on dopaminergic function. A polymorphic variation occurs in the coding area of the COMT gene (a Guanine to Adenine replacement), changing the amino acid from valine (Val) to methionine (Met) at the codon position 158 (Val158Met) and consequently influencing the thermal tolerance and stability of the enzyme. Allelic discrepancies in enzyme ...

The following essay is going to review advantages and disadvantage of pre-workout compounds and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and their effect on athlete health. Pre-workout compounds and AAS are considered to be 2 major enhancers of athlete`s performance in short- and long-term respectively. Among large number of pre-work out compounds like NO-Explode (BSN), The Curse (Cobra Labs), Assault (MuslePharm), C4 (Cellucor), Jack3d is considered to be the most powerful pre-workout compound to be ever created. The difference between old and new mix of Jack3d (produced since 2012) is that older version of Jack3d included DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine). Just like ...

Biology

(Department)

DNA and its importance in our lives

Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a long linear polymer located in the nucleus of a cell. It is developed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix. It is related to the transmission of hereditary information from one generation to the second generation. DNA contains the information for the development as well as reproduction of an organism, thereby leading to a normal life. In the year 1953, James Watson, a biologist, and Francis Crick, a physicist, discovered the structure of DNA in a laboratory in England (LEROY, 2003). The structure of DNA helped scientists to know the process ...

Bio Exam

Codominant traits exist when two different alleles for a genetic trait such as flower colour, and hair texture are both expressed. The expression of codominance infers a relationship between two types of a gene. In codominance, the phenotypes of both alleles inherited from the parents are expressed ("Codominance - Glossary Entry", 2016).

Genetic expression feather colors in purple penguin ("Basic Principles of Genetics: Probability of Inheritance", 2016).

With the order of dominance as pd>pm>pl>pvl a 1 dark: 1 medium ration of phenotype among the baby penguins is expected. Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder that exhibits variation among affected individuals. The range of phenotypic severities is an example of variable expressivity. ...

Abstract

In the following case-study, Joshua is a newborn infant presented by his parents Samuel and Rachel to the pediatric outpatient unit of Robertsbridge, Sussex for screening and medical advice for sporadic vomiting at the time of breast feeding and seizure-like episodes. Samuel and Racheal also report sweet odor in the urine and loss of weight. Blood tests demonstrated increased concentrations of leucine and isoleucine. Genetic testing on the skin biopsies reveal mutation at Exon 6, c.659C>T of the of BCKDHA gene with a protein level p. A220V and Joshua exhibits about 1.5 % lesser than normal deficiency in the ...

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease, passed on from parents to children along the generations. It is a condition which causes severe pain and anemia. It happens when the body lacks healthy red blood cells to circulate oxygen in the body. The usual shape of the red blood cells is round, and they are flexible so they can pass through the narrow blood vessels of the body. However, sickle cell anemia causes them to become sickle-shaped, like tiny crescents, which are sticky and inflexible. This restricts their movement in the blood vessels causing them to get stuck in ...

Background

Early scientists and nutritionists believed that the most vital nutrient in living organisms, for building and maintaining the body was the protein. The role of proteins as enzymes came into existence several years later. This was around 1926 when experiments showed that enzymes were proteins. Insulin was the first protein to be sequenced. Hemoglobin was the first structure of proteins to be resolved. Myoglobin was then resolved later.

X-ray diffraction analysis (X-ray crystallography) led to the determination of the structure of the proteins (three-dimensional structure). The purification of proteins can be made possible from cellular compounds. Several methods have ...

Part I

Original DNA Strand:

3’-TACCCTTTAGTAGCCACT-5’

Transcription (base sequence of RNA):

5’-UTGGGUUUTCUTCGGTGU-3’

Translation (amino acid sequence):

3’-TACCCTTTAGTAGCCACT-5’

What is the significance of the first and last codons?

Explanation: The first and last codons are very essential in that they dictate and command the direction of the transcription and synthesis of mRNA from the 5’ end towards the 3’ ends. Additionally, the first and last codons act like terminal points where protein synthesis begins and where it actually ends hence these codons actually determine the size of the animo acids produced which determine the type of and size of protein synthesized (Hartl, 2011).

What meaning do these codons have for protein synthesis?

Explanation: These codons are ...