Photosynthesis

I made this SketchFu on Photosynthesis to show everything we have learned so far. However, I am also going to write about Photosynthesis to help further explain it. Photosynthesis has two main steps the Light Reaction and the Calvin Cycle. First we have the Light Reaction which takes place in the thylakoid membrane. Its purpose is to convert visible light into chemical energy, which in turn powers the production of sugars in the Calvin Cycle. Chlorophyll and other pigments inside the thylakoid absorb most light but reflect green light, which is why most leaves appear to be green. Those pigments form two clusters, photosystem I and II. As you will see in this presentation the PSII actually comes before PSI. This is because PSI was discovered first. Photons from the suns rays give the electron, located in PSII, extra energy causing it to jolt to other molecules. These molecules are known as electron carriers, and they are embedded along the thylakoid membrane. They are located in such a way that allows the electrons to move easily. Once the electrons reach PSI they are given an energy boost allowing them to reduce NADP+ into NADPH. However, these electrons need to constantly be replaced. To do this, water molecules are broken down into 2H+, 2e-, and O2. This leaves H+ ions, situated in the lumen, which are then pumped across the ATP Synthase to create ATP. 

Next there is the Calvin Cycle. Using the ATP and NADPH created by the Light Reaction as well as three CO2, the Calvin Cycle creates a networth of 1 G3P or PGAL which as you may recall is half of a glucose. However there are steps that need to occur before this happens. First a molecule of CO2 bonds with a 5-carbon sugar, thus creating an unstable 6-carbon molecule that immediately separates into two 3-carbon molecules. Now keep in mind that with three molecules of carbon dioxide there would now be 6, 3-carbon molecules. Each one of those needs one ATP and one NADPH to re-shape and lose a phosphate. Other reactions cause this to rearrange to form the PGAL, which then produces a 5-carbon sugar-phosphate.  Another molecule of ATP is then used to add another phosphate to this, producing RuBP.  So with 3 carbon dioxide molecules six PGALS would be created, five of which would be used to regenerate RuBP. Leaving the plant with one PGAL to use for growth.  

P.S. I think weather and the amount of water will affect the rate of photosynthesis.



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Cellular Respiration Songs: Hoe Down Throw Down, Thats how I Beat Shaq, Baby

This is Matt's and my video. We used three different songs to explain cellular respiration: Hoe Down Throw Down by Hannah Montana, That's How I Beat Shaq by Aaron Carter, and Baby by Justin Bieber. The video was meant to be funny and has absolutely no relevance to Cellular respiration. However, I think the strong, catchy lyrics help to explain most of what you need to know. They definately helped me. That being said, this video is only supposed to be an aid, and additional research is needed to fully understand cellular respiration.  Matt takes the lead role in the singing with some strong performances in Baby and Hoe Down Throw Down. While I did most of the film work, the highlights of which are, me falling off a chair and making a pretty intense snow angel if i do say so myself. That pretty much sums it up so I hope you enjoy the video.

Sketch Fu on the Krebs Cycle

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SketchFu on Krebs Cycle

Glycolysis SketchFu

This is my sketchfu on glycolysis.




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Cancer: Stem Cells In Reaction to Heat

In an attempt to treat cancer, doctors usually use radiation to "zap" tumors. However, this procedure may not always go according to plan. The tumor may originally shrink, but if cells inside of the tumor survive the radiation, they can come back even stronger than before. Researchers have found one solution to this. By heating the tumor prior to the operation the resistance by the stem cells can be drastically lowered. This technique is called hyperthermia. It has only been used to fight breast cancer, but it is possible that it could be effective on other types of cancer as well. Researchers based this technique off one from 5,000 years ago. An ancient Egyptian papyrus shows heat being used to fight breast cancer. However, heating alone with out other techniques has shown to be ineffective. A similar technique was attempted back in the 1970's and 80's, but it proved to be ineffective. Today's success is, in part, due to the technological advancements that have been made. With today's technology we are able to heat the tumors directly and more precisely. Scientists believe that the heat, when applied to the tumor, disrupts the stem cells, thus causing it to become more sensitive to radiation. When researchers used radiation on mice, that had human breast tumors transplanted into them, they found that the amount of cancer stem cells in the tumor had greatly increased. However, after, when they used hyperthermia on the tumor, heating it to approximately 108 degrees F, the amount of cancer stem cells ceased to increase and in most cases began to decrease. It is believed that cancer stem cells lost their ability to repair damage caused by the radiation. Researchers hope to set up clinical trials in the Texas Medical Center soon, although similar techniques are being used elsewhere.

Sources:

http://www.hhmi.org/news/atkinson20101102.html

http://drugdiscoveryopinion.com/tag/cancer-stem-cells/

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Do Fish Feel Pain?

Do fish feel pain? This topic has been debated by scholars for decades. Some people believe that fish are incapable of experiencing pain, while others believe that they are indeed capable. Some people believe they do not have very complex nervous systems and therefore do not feel pain to the extent that we do or perhaps even not at all. However, this idea is not completely accurate.  There has been some research that indicates that fish have the same kinds of specialized nerve fibers that mammals and birds use to identify tissue damage and thus pain. From all the information I have gathered I personally believe that fish can feel pain. Experiments show that fish respond when they are hurt, and pain relievers cause there behavior to change drastically. I would like to state that I am not against fishing what so ever, I realize that fish are an essential part to modern day civilization. What I do think, however, is that fish should be treated in a more humane manner.  For instance there have been fortifications put in place in order to protect birds and mammals, that do not include fish.  I believe this is largely due to the identity fish have. They are viewed differently than animals like cows, and chickens. In my opinion this doesn't make any sense, they are no less an animal and therefore deserve to be treated accordingly.






Sources:

1) http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/11/17/researcher_explores_whether_fish_feel_pain.html<script 
2) http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/V/vertebrate_nervous_system.html
3) http://www.bishops.k12.nf.ca/wells/vfish/projects/nervous/SENSES.html