Category: S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS)

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, IR 1: Ecosystem Interactions (MS), IR 3: Ecosystem Stability (HS), IR 5: Survival (HS), Life Science, M&E 2: Anabolism/Catabolism (HS), M&E 2: Metabolism (MS), M&E 3: Cellular Respiration (HS), M&E 3: Food Webs (MS), M&E 4: Aerobic/Anaerobic Resp. (HS), M&E 4: Biogeochemical Cycles (MS), M&E 5: Matter/Energy Cycles (HS), M&E 6: Biogeochemical Cycles (HS), Matter & Energy in Organisms/Ecosystems, S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 4: Stimuli Response (MS), Structure and Function

Different Enzymes to Digest Different Plant Substrates

GwynneL.

The fungal cultivar of leaf-cutter ants produces specific enzymes in response to different plant substrates SUMMARY: Leaf-cutter ants and a fungus called Leucoagaricus gongylophorus have a symbiotic relationship. The ants harvest plant material for the fungus to “eat” and then the ants feed off of the gongylidia. These swollen parts of the hyphae are no… Continue reading Different Enzymes to Digest Different Plant Substrates

Life Science, M&E 2: Anabolism/Catabolism (HS), M&E 2: Metabolism (MS), M&E 3: Cellular Respiration (HS), M&E 4: Aerobic/Anaerobic Resp. (HS), Matter & Energy in Organisms/Ecosystems, Natural Selection & Evolution, NSE 2: Evolution Factors (HS), NSE 2: Taxonomy (MS), NSE 4: Adaption (HS), S&F 1: Cells (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Cell Function (MS), S&F 4: Stimuli Response (MS), Structure and Function

The architecture of cell differentiation in choanoflagellates and sponge choanocytes

GwynneL.

The architecture of cell differentiation in choanoflagellates and sponge choanocytes SUMMARY: The closest relative to multicellular animals are single-celled organisms called choanoflagellates. These protists look like collar cells. These are cells that have a microvillar ring (the collar) around a flagellum. An example of these cells in animals are sensory epidermal cells. To get a… Continue reading The architecture of cell differentiation in choanoflagellates and sponge choanocytes

Life Science, M&E 2: Anabolism/Catabolism (HS), Matter & Energy in Organisms/Ecosystems, NSE 2: Taxonomy (MS), NSE 3: Embryology (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Body Systems (HS), S&F 3: Homeostasis (HS), S&F 4: Stimuli Response (MS), Structure and Function

The Endocannabinoid System of Animals

GwynneL.

The Endocannabinoid System of Animals SUMMARY: This article talks about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in animals. The first and second section talk about the three parts of the ECS: receptors (CBR1 and CBR2), ligands (endocannabinoids), and the ligand degrading enzymes. The receptors are G-protein coupled receptors, the ligands bind directly to these receptors, and the… Continue reading The Endocannabinoid System of Animals

Inheritance & Variation of Traits, Inheritance 2: Role of DNA (HS), Inheritance 4: Asexual/Sexual (MS), Inheritance 5: DNA Technology (MS), Life Science, Natural Selection & Evolution, Non-NGSS Articles, NSE 3: Trait Selection (HS), NSE 4: Adaption (HS), NSE 4: Fitness (MS), S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Cell Function (MS), Structure and Function

Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers

GwynneL.

Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers SUMMARY: There are many types of organisms that can dry out, rehydrate, and then go about their lives with no problems. Many of the larger ones use trehalose or sucrose as an antifreeze. Bdelloid rotifers (tiny microscopic animals) do not. This study looked at the carbohydrate content in desiccated… Continue reading Anhydrobiosis without trehalose in bdelloid rotifers

Inheritance & Variation of Traits, Inheritance 1: Behavior and Reproduction (MS), Inheritance 2: Genes and Growth (MS), Inheritance 2: Role of DNA (HS), Inheritance 4: Population Genetics (HS), Life Science, S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Body Systems (HS), S&F 3: Body Systems (MS), Structure and Function

Variation in the human immune system is largely driven by non-heritable influences

GwynneL.

Variation in the human immune system is largely driven by non-heritable influences SUMMARY: This study was a twin study. The researchers looked at different elements of the immune system: T-cells, NK cells, B-cells, cytokines, etc. and saw that the development of these cells were influenced by non-heritable factors such as the environment and random epigenetic… Continue reading Variation in the human immune system is largely driven by non-heritable influences

Life Science, S&F 1: DNA to Proteins (HS), S&F 2: Cell Function (MS), Structure and Function

Structure and Function of MCR-4

GwynneL.

Action and mechanism of the colistin resistance enzyme MCR-4 SUMMARY: Colistin is an antibiotic that is considered to be a last resort against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Unfortunately, an enzyme called MCR-4 has evolved which makes bacteria resistant to colistin. Researchers want to understand the structure and function of MCR-4 in order to combat it. There… Continue reading Structure and Function of MCR-4