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Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of the structure, composition and chemical processes in all living organisms. It covers the structures and functions of various cellular components, including proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecules.
8,065 Questions
What are the promises and concerns for chemistry for human welfare?
2011 was officially designated the "International Year of Chemistry" by the United Nations to commemorate the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to Mankind. I thought i would present my 1 Minute Take on the topic "Chemistry for Human Welfare."
"It is impossible to deny that Chemistry has played a major part in determining the nature of the modern world." - Linus Pauling, Double Nobel Laureate.
Chemistry is the study of Matter itself. The strides taken by Humans in the two millennia have a close connection with every science, Chemistry included.
Before coming to the pros and cons of Chemistry and its usefulness for Modern Humanity, I would like to first talk on the evolution of Chemistry throughout the ages. The first Human contact with Chemistry came by accident. When man struck two stones together, it produced mysterious sparks. These sparks could be transferred to wood to create a wondrous flame. The earliest chemical reaction was Fire - a mystical force to the prehistoric man.
The second thing that inspired man to inquire about the nature of matter was nature itself. How can Water be both a gas and a liquid? How do different flowers have different colours? Why do things give off a smell?
The stage for modern chemistry was set, however, surprisingly, by Alchemy. The search for the "Elixir" of life - The Philosopher's Stone involved experiments and maintaining records - a central part of Chemistry today!
After this, it was a matter of centuries before chemical concepts were explained, the Atomic theory was proven and the known elements were established, all by scientific method. It was then that a vast world of practical applications of chemistry was envisioned. New fibres, medicines, the X-Ray Machine, new methods for the mining industry, improved fertilizers for the agro industry, Electricity, computers and Nuclear Power.
Whatever are the promises from Chemistry, it is VERY evident that the list of benefits from the field of Chemistry are growing exponentially everyday. In his famous 1960 lecture, "There's Plenty of Room At the Bottom", Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman visioned a future of Atomic machines and Nanotechnology. His visions have today transpired into many practical applications, mostly benefiting the medicine industry. There are N number of fields where chemistry is being used. Some of them are: Medicine, Biology, Rocketry, Ballooning, in the Kitchen, Geology, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Nuclear Power, Nanotechnology, Agriculture, Manufacturing Industry, Television and Media and much much more.
The Periodic Table, labelled as "The Single Most beautiful Chart in the History of Humanity" helps as a starting point for all of chemistry. Having seen the promises, the very fact that every good thing has a bad side to it gives rise to the question, "What are the Concerns?" In fact, there ARE concerns.
The biggest concern is a person using chemistry for negative means. Basically, the amount of energy is constituent atoms, which can help build things, help destroy things faster. I will outline 3 principal concerns below:
The first one is the obvious one - Nuclear Power. There are two basic nuclear reactions: Fission and Fusion, involving breaking up or fusing of atomic nuclei. When nuclei fuse or break apart, they turn into other elements, giving out Energy. This can be related to Einstein's famous equation where the "Mass" from the nuclei is converted into pure "Energy." This principle can be used to power a generator to produce, in a sense, a LOT of electricity. But a fateful day in Japan, 1945 reminds us the vicious power of Nuclear Fission, where the Atomic Bomb, caused devastation, and still affects the area today. Also, incidents at Chernobyl and more recently, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown tell us that if not controlled, the vicious energy can destroy the entire planet.
My own take on the Nuclear theme is - Right now, we are at the brink of mastering Fusion Power - although complete mastery is still decades away. After Nuclear Fission is mastered, we may 'export' the Sun to Earth and start a Nuclear Fusion reactor. Nuclear Fusion is far better than Fission, and also does not produce waste by-products. So, until we master Nuclear Fusion, this is an intermediate step.
The second one is - Biological Terror Attacks. Although the name tells us its got something to do with Biology and Diseases, but advances in chemistry can mean terrorists deliberately spreading toxins, harmful gases, viruses and likewise among the masses. The 2001 US Anthrax attacks, where letters were laced with infectious material, are a prime example.
The third is the hot issue - found everywhere in science - Global Warming. The CFCs, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide were all, in the respective eras, were found as solutions to certain problems. The Greenhouse Effect, a beneficial natural cycle, due to over'grazing' of industries and careless waste disposal techniques, is turning the planet into a death chamber. The Ozone 'Hole' above Antarctica is the cause of ice melting in polar regions, and due to the gaping hole, harmful radiations from the Sun are permeating Earth's atmosphere. One day, our planet may look like distant Mars. The solution for this, however, may lie, ironically, in Chemistry. Better techniques to flush out the CO2 may be developed, and the new field of 'Bioplastics' may yield a biodegradable plastic.
All in All, the Pros of Chemistry far outweigh the cons. The only thing that researchers have to care of is, misusing chemical power.
I know, this post was more of an essay, than a one-minute take, but I just got crazy and wrote everything that came to my mind down. If you find any mistakes, do comment below. Also, if you have any questions, please comment below, I'll try my best answering them :). Thanks.
Atharv Joshi
The centrifuge was not discovered by a single individual. It is a machine that has been developed over time by various scientists and engineers. One of the early developers of the centrifuge was Antoine Lavoisier in the late 18th century.
How do you make human saliva in the lab?
Human saliva can be collected from volunteers for research purposes by asking them to spit into a sterile container. Alternatively, artificial saliva can be made by mixing components like water, mucin, electrolytes, and enzymes in specific concentrations to mimic natural saliva. This artificial saliva can be used for studies on oral health or drug delivery.
Why is it important that an enzyme is stabilised?
it is important that an enzyme is stabilized because...
a) the enzyme reduces the energy required to reach the highest energy of the reaction
b) therefore the reduction of activation energy increases the number of reactant molecules with enough energy to reach the activation energy and form the product.
c) the enzymes can collide faster with the substrate (also known as lock and key)
What is captured by the chemical ribulose bisphosphate?
Ribulose bisphosphate captures carbon dioxide molecules in the process of carbon fixation during photosynthesis. It is a key molecule in the Calvin cycle, where it combines with carbon dioxide to form an unstable six-carbon compound that eventually leads to the production of sugars.
Where can you find protein supplements online?
You can find protein supplements online on websites such as Amazon, Bodybuilding.com, GNC, and The Vitamin Shoppe. It's important to research and read reviews to ensure you are purchasing a quality product from a reputable source.
How many atoms in a nucleic acid?
DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids. As there is no limit to the number of nucleotides in either the number of atoms in either is also unlimited.
What are the benefits of drinking protein shakes?
Protein in general is similar to fiber in that it keeps you fuller longer, as well as makes you stronger. Drinking protein shakes will help by inproving your immune system and keeping you full so that you won't need to eat as much.
Why is glycolysis useful to aerobic respiration?
Glycolysis breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process. The pyruvate generated from glycolysis enters the citric acid cycle, a key step in aerobic respiration where further ATP is produced. Therefore, glycolysis serves as the initial step in aerobic respiration by providing substrates for the later stages that ultimately generate more ATP.
Why swab the inside of cheeks to obtain DNA?
Swabbing the inside of cheeks is a simple and non-invasive way to collect DNA samples, as the cells lining the cheeks contain DNA. This method is convenient, painless, and does not require a blood sample. The DNA collected from the cheek swab can be used for various genetic tests and analysis.
Is hormone replacement therapy expensive?
Hormone levels decline as we age; bioidentical hormone therapy replenishes the hormones that your body needs to function. BodyLogicMD's bioidentical hormone doctors use natural or bioidentical hormones versus bio-similar or synthetic hormones. Bioidentical hormones are molecule-by-molecule, exactly the same as the hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, dhea, estradiol and estriol) present in the human body. Your bioidentical hormone replacement physician will assess your individual needs and work to restore these hormones and customize a medical plan specifically for you.
What would happen if you had hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves taking synthetic hormones to replace those lost during menopause or due to other medical conditions. Benefits can include relief from menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, and protection against osteoporosis. However, HRT can also have risks, such as an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers. It's important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before starting HRT.
Is using human growth hormone illegal?
Some growth hormones are legal but it depends on the circumstances in which you're taking them. If you're taking them during a sporting event contesting physical strengths and abilities, this would be an illegal venture as you're falsifying your entry results and therefore breaking the law.
What the allele that is hidden?
i think the answer your lokking for is recessive
Recessive is when you have a trait in your genome but it doesn't show in your physical appearance
What is the name of the process that breaks the bond in a polymer?
The reaction that breaks the bonds between atoms within a polymer chain is called "scission". The bonds between chains of monomers, if they exist at all, are not chemical bonds and are broken by thermal motion.
*****It is actually called hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a chemical process in which a molecule is separated into two parts by adding a molecule of water.****
How does a DNA test work to confirm the identity of someones father?
DNA paternity testing works by comparing the DNA of the mother and child. The traits not apparent in the mother's DNA have to come with the father. Then, the DNA of the alleged father and child are compared. If the father has the missing traits, he may be the father.
In one allele is dominant to a recessive allele?
In a dominant-recessive allele relationship, the dominant allele will be expressed phenotypically over the recessive allele. This means that even if an organism carries one dominant and one recessive allele for a particular trait, the dominant allele will determine the observable characteristic.
What is so special about carbon that they devoted a whole branch of chemistry to it?
Carbon has some very important properties. It forms four bonds, and that is the highest number of bonds that any element forms, which gives it the capability of forming more complicated types of molecules than most other elements. There are, of course, other elements in group 4, that also form four bonds, such as silicon. However, carbon is the lightest element in that group, as as you go down the periodic table to heavier elements in that group, you get lower electronegativity, or in other words more metallic type of bonding, as compared to the non-metallic type of bonding that carbon forms, and this is significant because carbon can form moderately strong bonds with various elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (etc.) but the more metallic elements of group 4 form stronger and more permanent bonds (compare the properties of carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide - quite a difference!). So as it turns out, only carbon gives us the versatility that is needed to form the basis of biochemistry. There can be no life without carbon. It is not for nothing that Star Trek refers to humans as a carbon based life form.
How do you solidify the stacking gel for sds-page?
i. Prepare Dissolving Gel first
· Composition of 10% Dissolving Gel
o For one gel you need the following ingredients with amounts
§ DD H2o 1.75 ml
§ 30% Acr, Bis 2.1 ml
§ 4x Buffer ( minor) 1.33 ml (PH 8.8)
§ TEMED 3.5 µl
NOTE: AS we know that APS is Solidifying Agent, so after adding the above ingredients,
§ Add 10% APS 3.5 µl
· Mix them & fill it on the Gel caste
· Add some DD- H2o to gel caste, in order to equalize the volume & remove the bubbles
· Remove the gel containing caste after 30 min.
ii. Prepare Stocking gel & add it to the cold dissolving gel & add the combs
· Composition of Stocking Gel
o For one gel you need the following ingredients with amounts
§ DD H2o 1.4 ml
§ 30% Acr, Bis 420 µl
§ 4x Buffer (Major) 621.6 µl (PH 6.8)
§ TEMED 3.5 µl
NOTE: AS we know that APS is Solidifying Agent, so after adding the above ingredients,
§ Add 10% APS 3.5 µl
§ Pour the stocking gel on the surface of dissolving gel & Add comb
iii. Transfer the gel to buffer after removing comb
What is the name of the linkage in nucleotides reaction?
The linkage in nucleotides is called a phosphodiester bond. It forms between the phosphate group at the 5' carbon of one nucleotide and the hydroxyl group at the 3' carbon of another nucleotide in a DNA or RNA molecule.
Why amino acid called alpha amino acid?
Amino acids are called alpha amino acids because the amino group (-NH2) is attached to the alpha carbon atom in the molecular structure of the amino acid. This alpha carbon is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group (-COOH) in the amino acid molecule.
Why do you think the zygote is dormant for some time in a fertilized ovule?
The zygote is dormant initially because it needs time to adjust its metabolic activities and undergo cell division. This process allows for the development of the early embryo before it starts active growth and implantation in the uterus.
Why are xanthoproteic and millon-nasse test unsatisfactory for the use in examination for proteins?
The xanthoproteic test involves nitration of aromatic amino acids in proteins, which may not always be specific for proteins as other compounds containing these amino acids can give false positive results. The Millon-Nasse test is based on the reaction of phenol groups in proteins, which can also react with other substances containing phenol groups, leading to false positive results. Overall, these tests lack specificity and can give inaccurate results when used to examine proteins.
What is the substance that breaksdown polypeptides in the small intestine?
The substance that breaks down polypeptides in the small intestine is an enzyme called trypsin, which is produced by the pancreas. Trypsin functions to cleave peptide bonds between specific amino acids, resulting in the breakdown of polypeptides into smaller peptides and eventually into individual amino acids for absorption by the body.
