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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

Why does the oxygen symbol O not have a subscript?

Because symbols for the elements do not have subscripts. A subscript is added in the chemical formula of a compound to indicate how many atoms of the element are included in a molecule of the compound. For example, when hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) combine to form water (H2O), a subscript 2 is added to the H to indicate there are two hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water, but no subscript is added to the O, because there is only one oxygen atom is in a molecule of water.

What is the purpose of incubation in DNA extraction?

Incubation in DNA extraction allows the DNA to be released from cells by breaking down cell membranes and proteins. This process helps separate the DNA from other cellular components, making it easier to isolate and purify the DNA for downstream applications such as PCR or sequencing.

How many enzymes have been identified in humans and are all enzymes specific?

Many thousands of individually functioning Enzymatic Units. Yes, each enzyme has it's own unique chemical reaction to catalyze.

Why is oxidation important in the human body?

Oxidation is important in the human body because it is a key process involved in producing energy from food. It helps break down nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to generate ATP, the body's main energy source. However, excessive oxidation can also lead to the production of free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease.

What is the central dogma and who challenged it?

The term "central dogma" of molecular biology is often taken to mean the flow of information from the DNA in the nucleus of the cell, into messenger RNA via transcription, and thence into proteins (more correctly, polypeptide chains) via translation at ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

1. The DNA replicates its information in a process that involves many enzymes: replication.

2. The DNA codes for the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) during transcription.

3. In eukaryotic cells, the mRNA is processed(essentially by splicing) and migrates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

4. Messenger RNA carries coded information to ribosomes. The ribosomes "read" this information and use it for protein synthesis. This process is called translation.

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If this question is taken to refer to the above sense of "central dogma", and the "challenge" therefore to the "reverse" flow of information: from RNA to DNA, that was found to be routine in retroviruses (such as HIV, which causes AIDS), using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The names of David Baltimoreand Howard Temin are particularly associated with the discovery of this enzyme.

In fact, this question opens a can of worms! It's all to do with what people take the term "central dogma" to mean.

In 1958 Francis Crick coined two terms for two ideas that were then considered fruitful in guiding future research. This was five years after the publication of Watson and Crick's double-helix model for DNA, and three years before the genetic code began to reveal itself through experiments by Nirenberg and Matthaei ("polyU" coding for phenylalanine, etc.) and by Crick and Brenner (the code consisting of three nucleotides).

The two ideas were:

1

The sequence of residues in DNA informs the biosynthesis of proteins (we would now say polypeptides), specifically the sequence of residues (amino acids). Logically enough, Crick called this idea the sequence hypothesis.

2

Once information (about the sequence of residues) has passed into a protein, it does not come out; in other words, the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide chain does not influence the synthesis of DNA, RNA, or other polypeptide chains. Crick called this the central dogma.

In later years, among other things:

Watson published a book, Molecular biology of the gene, in which he confused Crick's two points, using the term "central dogma" in a way that relates it to the sequence hypothesis. Watson did not use the term "sequence hypothesis". There has now developed a widespread myth, especially associated with the United States, that the idea of the sequence hypothesis was calledby Crick the "central dogma".

Some people who had not read Crick's paper, and knew little of his mind and modus operandi as a scientist, accused him of trying to stifle research, by being "dogmatic" that information could flow only from DNA to RNA to protein, and never in the reverse direction. Crick never said that, as a read of his 1958 paper confirms.

Crick wrote a note, published in Nature in 1970, trying to put the record straight. He particularly mentioned by name Barry Commoner as someone who had misquoted him (and, implicitly, someone who had used the misquotation to draw false conclusions about Crick's reasoning and motives).

Crick much later admitted that when he chose the word "dogma" he thought it was more or less close in meaning to "hypothesis".

Does Crick's central dogma hold true? NO. 1.) A viruses genome consists of RNA. 2.) The process of DNA to RNA to protein can actually be reversed (aka complementary DNA).

Prions do not challenge Crick's dogma. The modifications to proteins that prions effect are to secondary structure (coiling and so on), not to the primary structure (the amino acid sequence).

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Crick's "Central Dogma" has been contradicted by countless experimental facts. However, "facts don't kill theories - only more advanced theories kill obsolete theories". "The Principle of Recursive Genome Function" (Pellionisz, 2008) showed that by retiring the old mistaken axioms of BOTH JunkDNA and Central Dogma we accomplish the theoretical breakthrough towards "Recursive Genome Function".

What is digested by the enzyme protease?

Protease enzymes break down proteins into amino acids. These amino acids can then be absorbed and used by the body for various functions like building new proteins, repairing tissues, and providing energy.

What was VeSPER theory?

VeSPER theory, which stands for Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory, is a model used to predict the molecular geometry of molecules based on the repulsion of electron pairs in the valence shell of an atom. It helps to determine the shape of a molecule by considering the arrangement of bonding and nonbonding electron pairs around the central atom. It is a useful tool in understanding the properties and behavior of molecules in chemistry.

Is the secondary structure more polar than the linear amino acid sequence?

Protein tertiary structure is 3-D. Secondary structure is 2-D or linear.

I. e. the linear a-a sequence is the secondary structure.

Amino-acid monomers comprise the primary structure.

Does alcohol cause acidosis or alkalosis?

Alcohol can cause metabolic acidosis due to its influence on metabolism and disruption of the acid-base balance in the body. However, chronic alcohol use can also lead to conditions such as alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is a specific type of metabolic acidosis associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

What causes the electrons to become excited and move into the electron transport chain?

Electrons become excited in the electron transport chain due to the energy input from electron carrier molecules like NADH and FADH2. These electron carriers donate the electrons to the proteins in the chain, creating a flow of electrons that drives the production of ATP.

Relate the properties of carbon to the formation of organic compounds?

Carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds allows it to bond with a variety of other elements, creating a diverse range of organic compounds. Its ability to bond with itself in long chains or rings allows for the formation of complex structures with different properties. Carbon's ability to form double and triple bonds further increases the diversity of organic compounds that can be formed.

What is the job of the catalase enzyme?

Catalase breaks down toxic hydrogen peroxide in living organisms (in both plants and animals) into water and oxygen.

2H2O2 (reaction of catalase) produces 2H2O + O2

What is the difference between enzyme and active site?

An enzyme is a protein that catalyzes a specific chemical reaction. The active site is a region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the catalytic reaction takes place. The active site is crucial for the enzyme to function properly and interact with its substrate.

What did hersey and chase discover?

Hershey and Chase's experiments in 1952 provided evidence that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material in bacteriophages. They used radioactive isotopes to track the transmission of DNA and protein from the phage to the bacteria during infection, showing that it was the DNA that carried the genetic information.

Why does the body rely on glucose than lipids for energy?

The body prefers to use glucose for energy because it can be quickly broken down during glycolysis to produce ATP, which is the primary energy source for cells. While lipids can also be used for energy, they require more complex metabolic processes to convert them into ATP, making glucose a more efficient and readily available energy source.

What type of carbohydrate should you eat more of?

It is recommended to consume more complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, as they provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. These foods also contain fiber, which is important for digestion and overall health.

What is the ability to decompose called?

The ability to decompose involves breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts. It helps in understanding the problem's structure, identifying key components, and solving it step by step.

What are the products of hydrolysis?

The products of hydrolysis are typically the breakdown of a larger molecule into smaller units through the addition of water. For example, hydrolysis of a polysaccharide like starch results in the formation of monosaccharides like glucose. Similarly, hydrolysis of a triglyceride yields fatty acids and glycerol.

What is diffusion simple?

Simple diffusion is the net movement of substances from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration so its overall net movement is along the concentration gradient. Simple diffusion does not require energy therefore it is 'passive', substances are diffused across the membrane between the phospholipids.

Why acidity increase after the oxygen in milk has been used up?

Once the oxygen in milk has been used up, lactic acid bacteria start to metabolize lactose and produce lactic acid as a byproduct. This buildup of lactic acid leads to a decrease in pH and an increase in acidity in the milk.

What would life be without enzymes?

Life is basically little soap bubbles with water and enzymes floating around inside.

There is no life, as we know it, without enzymes. Enzymes impact every aspect of life like, energy production, reproduction, and everything else.

What are the characteristics of prokaryotic?

Cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus are called prokaryotes (from the Greek meaning before nuclei). These cells have few internal structures that are distinguishable under a microscope. Cells in the monera kingdom such as bacteria and cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are prokaryotes.

Prokaryotic cells differ significantly from eukaryotic cells. They don't have a membrane-bound nucleus and instead of having chromosomal DNA, their genetic information is in a circular loop called a plasmid. Bacterial cells are very small, roughly the size of an animal mitochondrion (about 1-2µm in diameter and 10 µm long). Prokaryotic cells feature three major shapes: rod shaped, spherical, and spiral. Instead of going through elaborate replication processes like eukaryotes, bacterial cells divide by binary fission.

Diagram of a prokaryotic cell. Notice the internal organelles are not easily distinguishable.

Bacteria perform many important functions on earth. They serve as decomposers, agents of fermentation, and play an important role in our own digestive system. Also, bacteria are involved in many nutrient cycles such as the nitrogen cycle, which restores nitrate into the soil for plants. Unlike eukaryotic cells that depend on oxygen for their metabolism, prokaryotic cells enjoy a diverse array of metabolic functions. For example, some bacteria use sulfur instead of oxygen in their metabolism.They are usually very small in size as compared to eukaryotic celles

What is a list of the three parts of cell theory?

1. All the organism are composed of one or more cell.

2. A cell is the basic unit of all living organism.

3.New cell are formed by the division or preexisting cells.

What is an example of an anaerobic?

Examples of anaerobic bacteria would be Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum. Both of these bacteria are pathogens or disease causing organisms: tetani causes tetanus or lockjaw, botulinum causes botulism or food poisoning. Note that both of these organisms flourish in conditions of low oxygen. Aerobic bacteria would include Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Vibrio comma.

What condition is marked by the decrease of the male hormone testosterone?

Hypogonadism is a condition characterized by low levels of testosterone in males, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and mood changes. Treatment may involve testosterone replacement therapy.