David Hrobochak
Biology 1740
Kirstin Purcell
Common Book Assignment 2
The reasons you can get more proteins from the genes are because each gene is individual, and each protein has a different function. Some proteins are responsible for structural support while others are responsible for defense against germs; others are involved in bodily movement. There are 4 levels of protein structure. The first is primary, which is the sequence of amino acids that make up protein. Different proteins will have different sequences of amino acids. Secondary structures are the coils or folds in the helix due to hydrogen bonding. Tertiary structures are just further folding of the polypeptide and quaternary structures are 2 or more polypeptide units folding together. The folding of all these amino acids causes the multiplication of proteins. I agree that nature plays a part of our development. Look at the scientific theory of evolution. Are we really descendents of apes? From a scientific perspective this is conceivable. The outbreak of Malaria is tolerated in most countries, but in Africa it is a widespread pandemic. This is an example of genetic variation. I believe 100 percent of us are genetic. We are created through genetic variation and the inheritance of variation. Natural selection is how we can cope with environmental changes. This is why certain individuals can deal with extreme temperatures better than others. The ability for each individual to go longer without water during times of extreme heat is an example. The first benefit of E. coli is that its presence reduces the chance of pathogens from colonizing in the intestines and causing illness. E.coli lives in our intestines and they produce important vitamins such as vitamin K and B complex vitamins. Vitamin K aids in the absorption of calcium into our bones and is necessary for effective blood clotting. Vitamin B complex is essential for the healthy functioning of the nervous system, it aids in the digestive process and is essential for the correct RNA and DNA synthesis for healthy skin, hair, and nails. As E.coli travels down the small intestine into the large intestine, the hairs on the E.coli cling to the intestinal wall, E.coli knows to stop where food flows by at top speed. The warmth of the gut triggers E.coli to make proteins, break down sugar, and weld amino acids together. Another example is when E.coli lines the wall of the intestines in clusters. They not only block the invaders, but they also prevent the individual microbes from penetrating the lining of the gut. The harmless strain of E.coli is not much different from the deadly strain O157:H7, the deadly difference is that while passing through the large intestine the microbe uses its receptors to grab onto the hormones that the cells in the intestines produce. These hormones tell the bacteria that it’s time to make us sick. So, it’s like they’ve combined. They created flagella to swim and scan the molecules floating by for signals released. This is the most interesting because it’s like this strain has formed an alliance, an army to infect the human digestive tract and destroy the human body.