...LAB #3: An Enzyme in Plant and Animal Tissues BACKGROUND INFORMATION Liver and other living tissues contain the enzyme catalase. This enzyme breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is a harmful by-product of cellular respiration if it builds up in cells. In this lab, you will perform reactions with the enzyme catalase. OBJECTIVES: 1. Investigate the enzyme catalase in various tissues. 2. Measure the effect of changes in temperature on reaction rates of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in a controlled experiment. INTRODUCTION: What would happen to your cells if they made a poisonous chemical? You might think that they would die. In fact, your cells are always making poisonous chemicals. They do not die because your cells use enzymes to break down these poisonous chemicals into harmless substances. Enzymes are proteins that speed up the rate of reactions that would otherwise happen more slowly. The enzyme is not altered by the reaction. You have hundreds of different enzymes in each of your cells. Each of these enzymes is responsible for one particular reaction that occurs in the cell. In this lab, you will study an enzyme that is found in the cells of many living tissues. The name of the enzyme is catalase (KAT-uh-LAYSS); it speed up a reaction that breaks down hydrogen peroxide, a toxic chemical, into 2 harmless substances--water and oxygen. The reaction is as follows: 2H2O2 à 2H2O + O2 This reaction is important to cells because hydrogen peroxide...
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...Sherie Bowles Unit 6 Case Study 1: Zachary’s Story A. An ulcer starts by eroding the mucosa of the G.I. tract wall. What functions of digestion and/or reabsorption might be lost if this layer is no longer functional? What functions will be compromised if the ulcer eats through the submucosa and then the muscularis? Absorption would not happen correctly some of the ingested and secreted may seep out of the lumen. This also could create a pathway of entry for pathogens if the ulcer ate through to the muscularis mucosa and also lose some control of defacation. (Jenkins & Tortora pg. 825,826) B. If Zachary has a peptic ulcer affecting his stomach or duodenum, which components of the peritoneum will be affected? If the ulcer eats a hole into the wall of the stomach, bacteria and partially digested food can spill through the opening into the peritoneum causing severe inflammation of the abdominopelvic cavity and the visceral peritoneum, which covers some other organs. (J & T pg. 826) C. How can Zach’s stomach contribute to the formation of ulcers in other parts of the G.I. tract? Which cells directly participant in ulcer formation, and how do they contribute to the creation of lesions in the G.I. tract wall? Zachary’s stomach contributes to the formation of ulcers in other parts of the G.I. tract by the acids needed to breakdown food are excessive and cause the stomach to over work therefore causing surrounding parts to be over worked as well. If the stomach is always churring...
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...this type (psychrophilic) of environment, requiring the same building blocks for life as organisms inhabiting moderate (mesophilic) temperatures. Despite this, research on the biosynthetic pathways psychrophiles use is very limited. The enzymes found in these microbes are adapted with structural features that give them the ability to function up to 10 times higher catalytic efficiency than their mesophilic homologues. The overall goal of the proposed research is to use a biochemical and genetics approach to study the stability, structure, and function of psychrophilic proteins involved or believed to be involved in the nitrogen metabolism of Methanococcoides burtonii. The specific objectives are: 1. Investigate the structural and functional properties of M. burtonii’s nifH and nifD gene products using sequence analysis, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and two-hybrid studies; 2. Investigate the structure, stability, and kinetics of M. burtonii’s glutamate dehydrogenase through sequence analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, protein modeling, and kinetic assays. Cold-enzyme study can increase knowledge in the field of protein folding and catalysis and the broader impacts of this project include (1) potential biotechnological applications of cold-enzymes (2) the involvement of high school students and science teacher(s) in hands-on research; and (3) the presentation of research results to a non-scientific audience in understandable terms. Project Description Research Objectives and...
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...CASE STUDY ZACHARY’S STORY ITT Technical Institute Navid Momeny Case Study Zachary’s Story A. An ulcer starts by eroding the mucosa of the G.I tract wall. What functions of digestion and/or reabsorption might be lost if this layer is no longer functional? What functions will be compromised if the ulcer eats through the submucosa and then the muscularis? With a hole in the G.I tract wall absorption will not happen properly. The contents would leak out of the lumen. This will then create a pathway for pathogens. If the ulcer eats through to the muscularis mucosa this would cause some loss of control to defecate. B. If Zachary has a peptic ulcer affecting his stomach or duodenum, which components of the peritoneum will be affected? If a peptic ulcer goes through the stomach bacteria and partially digested food can go through to the opening of peritoneum causing a severe inflammation of the abdominopelvic cavity and the visceral peritoneum (covers some organs). C. How can Zachary’s stomach contribute to the formation of ulcers in other parts of the G.I. tract? Which cells directly participate in ulcer formation, and how do they contribute to the creation of lesions in the G.I. tract wall? His stomach contributes by the excessive acids that are used to breakdown food and cause his stomach to over work. This also cause the surrounding areas to be over worked. Cells that secrete HCI and gastric glands that secrete acetylcholine are also related to the...
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...1 (1) (2) Physiology of Seed Germination Miller B. McDonald Seed Biology Program Department of Horticulture and Crop Science The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210-1086 mcdonald.2@osu.edu (3) In the germination process, the seed’s role is that of a reproductive unit; it is the thread of life that assures survival of all plant species. Furthermore, because of its role in stand establishment, seed germination remains a key to modern agriculture. Thus, especially in a world acutely aware of the delicate balance between food production and world population, a fundamental understanding of germination is essential to crop production. (4) Definition of Seed Germination. Various definitions of seed germination have been proposed, and it is important to understand their distinctions. The the seed physiologist, germination is defined as the emergence of the radicle through the seed coat. Such a definition says nothing about other essential structures such as the epicotyl or hypocotyls that become the above ground parts of a successful seedling. To the seed analyst, germination is “the emergence and development from the seed embryo of those essential structures which, for the kind of seed in question, are indicative of the ability to produce a normal plant under favorable conditions.” This definition focuses on the reproductive ability of the seed, an essential objective in agriculture. Does it have the capacity to produce a normal plant? Others consider germination to be the resumption...
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...Tay-Sachs Disease Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a fatal genetic disorder, most commonly occurring in children, which result in progressive destruction of the nervous system. “Tay-Sachs is caused by the absence of a vital enzyme called hexosaminidase-A (Hex-A). Without Hex-A, a fatty substance, or lipid, called GM2 ganglioside accumulates abnormally in cells, especially in the nerve cells of the brain. This ongoing accumulation causes progressive damage to the cells (www.genome.gov).” Hex-A is an enzyme that breaks down complex fats called gangliosides found in nervous tissues. As genome.com stated without Hex-A, there is a buildup of ganglioside in the cells of the brain, which causes extreme damage to the cells. Tay Sachs was named after Warren Tay and Bernard Sachs. Tay was a Bristish ophthalmologist who first described the red spot on the retina of the eye that is present in Tay–Sachs disease. Later in Volume V of Ophthalmological Society, he gave a complete description of the clinical symptoms of the disorder. Sachs, a New York neurologist, provided the first description of the cellular changes and the genetic nature of Tay-Sachs disease. Tay-Sachs disease results from defects in a gene on chromosome 15 that codes for production of the enzyme Hex-A. Tay-Sachs is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which means that both parents must be a carrier of the disease for their offspring to be at risk. Yet children of parents who are carriers have a 50 percent chance of being...
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...Biology – Science 206 Energy, Metabolism, and Cells – Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration John Carter August 11, 2013 1. Explain how photosynthesis and respiration are linked in order to provide you with energy from the food you eat. Photosynthesis can be defined as the process that living organisms such as plants use to translate the sun’s energy into chemical energy. Once the plant has translated the sun’s energy into chemical energy it then releases that energy and makes it readily available to other living things (Vermaas, 2007). Aerobic respiration can be defined as nutrients being converted into useful energy. Respiration allows cells to use the energy stored during the photosynthesis process. It’s the chemical reaction that breaks down the glucose and changes it into a larger amount of Adenosine Triphosphate which is also called ATP (Board, 2012). Plants use sunlight to make ATP for its energy source by creating a series of chemical reactions by producing oxygen as a waste product. Next, animals and human beings eat these plants. The nutrients digested by animals and human beings reverse the process by using the ATP as a source of energy. Our cells use the nutrients from the plants and convert the nutrients in a process that uses oxygen (Board, 2012). Once our bodies have used all the nutrients will be need from those plants our bodies as well as animals release carbon dioxide as waste. Photosynthesis and respiration are both means of converting...
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...Heredity is the giving of different traits or genes to descendants from its parents or forbearers. This action of how these descendant cell or organism obtain or develop to have these specific characterizes of its parent cell or organism. From heredity, differences revealed by individuals can collect and cause evolution, and thus explains how species evolved through natural selection. Genetics is the study of heredity (Wikipedia, 2014). Gregor Mendel was able to discover the principles of heredity through many trial and errors by using his own crops of peas. Mendel’s annotations have given the basis for groundwork for what we now know of current genetics and heredity, and he is widely considered the frontrunner in the subject of genetics. It wasn’t until years after his death that his research was used in the efforts of many different botanists, biologists, and geneticists that were studying heredity, that how his annotations and eventually laws showed their importance. His research has become to be known as Mendel’s Laws, and since his work had become to be such a crucial part for what we now know as genetics, today is he known as the “father of modern genetics.” (Bio, 2014). There are many inherited traits that offspring cell or organisms received from their parent cell or organisms. Genes influence how these traits develop and comprise the set of genes within an organism’s genome, which is known as its genotype. Observable traits of a cells arrangement and behaviors are...
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...High Fructose Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup is often used as a sugar replacement. This is because in the US it is cheaper from a combination of Corn subsidies and sugar taxes, also because HFCS is transported as a liquid as opposed to sugar, which is a solid. Even though there are multiple steps that require expensive enzymes, the HFCS is still less expensive than the alternative. The lower cost means food producers are able to produce their food and drinks for cheaper and also earn more profit on the goods they sell. The process to develop HFCS was discovered in the 1970’s. Its popularity in America rose quickly; its use saw an increase from 3 million tons in 1980 to 8 million tons in 1995. HFCS use surpassed the use of sugar in the late 90’s and continues today to be more widely used. More HFCS is consumed than sugar by Americans. The process is more difficult than the process to get sugar from sugar cane or beets. There are multiple steps involved including three enzymes needed to break down the complex glucose molecules of the cornstarch to the simple glucose and fructose sugars. Each enzyme breaks down the molecule to smaller pieces, until the manufacturer ends up with 40% fructose and 50 to 52% glucose. Other sugar molecules are also still in the mixture. The final two steps result in the 55% fructose mixture that the industry requires. A 90% mix of fructose is poured back in to the original mixture of glucose and fructose. There are...
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...matrix and regulate the activity of signaling molecules and growth factors (1). Proteases classified into 4 types including serine proteases, cysteine proteases, aspartate proteases and metalloproteases based on their remainder or cofactor fundamental in catalysis. A metalloproteinase, is any protease enzyme whose catalytic mechanism involves a metal. Most metalloproteases require zinc, but some use cobalt. There are two subgroups of metalloproteinases: Exopeptidases, a metalloexopeptidase is a type of enzyme that acts as a metalloproteinase exopeptidase. The term "metallocarboxypeptidase" is sometimes used to describe a metalloexopeptidas....
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...what exactly is gluten and why is it so often associated with thyroid conditions? What is Gluten? Gluten is a form of protein that is found in wheat and other grains, such as, grains and barley. Gluten is responsible for the elasticity of dough, as well as, its ability to rise and delectable chewy texture. That being said, many studies have cited the negative effects that gluten has on the body. Many people are sensitive to gluten. One of the most popular reasons that people switch to a gluten free diet is related to thyroid disease. The Relationship Between Gluten and the Thyroid...
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...tryptophan that lead to the production the catecholamines, dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is further synthesized into norepinephrine and epinephrine. Devastating clinical features can arise from inborn errors of catecholamine synthesis which stem from three key regulatory enzymes within the pathway: GTP cyclohydrolase I, tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Unlike its well known counterpart, phenylketonuria which arises from metabolizing deficiencies of...
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...thuringiensis (citation). B. Thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium. The gene of interest produces a protein that kills lepidoptera larvae. The gene is called Bt delta endotoxin, and is especially desirable to kill the European corn borer. The Bt delta endotoxin is a crystal protein that is activated by enzymes in the insects' digestive tract. When the Bt delta endotoxin is activated, it is bound to receptors on the intestinal lining and causes swelling and deterioration of the wall of the digestive tract. This reaction is fatal to the insect and usually will cause the insect to stop feeding after relatively few bites. The insect can die within two or three days if enough endotoxin is eaten and activated by the digestive tract enzymes. (Hofte and Whiteley 1989) This activation of the crystal protein by enzymes in the digestive tract is only observed in certain insects (Galitsky et al. 2001). Studies conducted by Monsanto indicate there is not any human toxicity at all because the endotoxin is broken down and metabolized by our stomach and intestines (Mendelsohn et al. 2003). Any toxicity to the protein in humans has been found to be relatively mild. In one study, the Bt toxin was given to human subjects at a relatively large dose (4,000mg/kg) and there were no signs of metabolic or oral toxicity. People have worried about human consumption of Bt-corn because the cells all have pesticide present. But pesticide is a broad term and does not necessarily mean that it is toxic...
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...progresses which is why this cancer has such a poor prognosis and why I believe education and changes in modifiable risk factors is key for prevention and awareness of this deadly disease. Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells establish variations in their DNA and the variations cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living even after normal cells would die. These abnormal cells can form a tumor. Most of the time the cancer begins in the cells that line the ducts of the pancreas. This type of cancer is called pancreatic adenocaricnoma or...
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...Gaucher disease (GD) is an inherited disorder caused by a lysosomal enzyme deficiency. It is an autosomal recessive disease. This means that both parents must carriers of the mutation in order to pass it to their child. This disease occurs when there is a build-up of a lipid, called glucosylceramide, due to the lack of the enzyme that breaks down this lipid. This allows for glucosylceramide to accumulate in bodily tissues such as the lungs, liver, bone marrow, spleen, and even can occur in the brain. Glucosylceramide is a huge component of the...
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