descrive the biological importance of water

Making up between 70 and 95% of the mass of a cell, and covering over three quarters of the planets surface, water is one of the most important compounds on this planet. A single water molecule is made up of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Covalent bonds are formed by sharing electrons between the outer shells of the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. However, what makes water so unique is the fact that it remains a liquid at room temperature. Many similar sized molecules (ammonia has a molecular mass equal to that of water-18) remain in their gaseous form at this temperature. The reasons for this unique thermal property are hydrogen bonds. The nucleus of an oxygen atom is larger and therefore contains many more protons that that of a hydrogen atom. Therefore, the electrons shared in the covalent bond between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms have a greater affinity for the oxygen atom than either hydrogen atom. This pulls the electrons closer to the oxygen atom and away from the hydrogen atoms resulting in the oxygen atom having a slightly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms developing slightly positive charges. These slight charges mean that when water molecules are close together, positively charged hydrogen atoms are attracted to the negatively charged oxygen atoms of a different water molecule. These attractions are known as hydrogen bonds and

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Effect of nitrate concentration on the growth of Duckweeds

Introduction & Method At the beginning of the experiment, I put on a lab coat to protect myself from any danger that may occur. I made sure that all my equipments were clean and dry before I started, and I also measured the temperature of the room to confirm it was around room temperature. I then made sure that the ice cube tray was clean, I put a little label on one end of the tray to indicate my starting point row of the ice cube tray. I then made a little note to myself that the label indicated the row which will contain the 0.0% x 10-3 concentration of nitrate in the solution, and the rows onwards will contain the concentration of nitrogen in solution in ascending orders which I will use (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2.4 % x 10-3). I Whilst pouring the solutions into a glass beaker I put on goggles and gloves to protect my eyes and hands from any contacts with the ammonium nitrate solution, as any contact can lead to irritation of the skin and eye. I poured 80-90cm3 of the 1st concentration which contained 0.0% x 10-3 of nitrate into a 100cm3 glass beaker. Next I used a clean syringe to measure out 25cm3 of the solution into the 1st well (near my label). The tray had 3 wells in a row and there were 6 rows, I repeatedly added 25 cm3 of the same ammonium nitrate solution into the remaining two wells of that row, so that I will obtain a result of three replicates with each

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An investigation into the effect of different sugars on respiration in yeast.

An investigation into the effect of different sugars on respiration in yeast. I am going to carry out an experiment, measuring the effect of different sugars on the respiration in yeast. In order to make a justified prediction I have researched different aspects of scientific knowledge, including respiration, yeast, sugar structure, enzymes and the collision theory. Glycolysis http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/301notes1.htm Glycolysis is the splitting of a monosaccharide into two molecules of pyruvate. It takes part in the cytoplasm of a cell. Glycolysis begins with a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms, and ends with two molecules of pyruvate, each with three carbon atoms. For the first steps of glycolysis, energy from ATP is needed. However, energy is released in later steps to generate ATP. For every molecule of glucose, a net gain of two molecules of ATP is produced. The first stage of glycolysis is called phosphorylation, and results in hexose bisphosphate. This is shown in green on the above diagram. Hexose bisphosphate then breaks down into two molecules of triose phosphate. Hydrogen is removed from the triose phosphate and transferred to NAD to produce reduced NAD. These hydrogen's can then be used in oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP. The end products of glycolysis are pyruvates, which still contains a lot of chemical potential energy. There are two

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effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in yeast

Effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in yeast Aim: My aim is to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in yeast by using a universal indicator. Background theory: Enzyme: Enzymes are organic catalysts that speed up the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently altered in the process. Enzyme Characteristics * Lower the energy of activation * Form reversible complex with substrate. * Not consumed in the reaction therefore they are effect in small amounts * Very specific - (Induced fit hypothesis) react with only a single substrate. * Many need cofactors, such as certain vitamins, to be activated. * 2000+ enzymes per cell, different cells have different enzymes. * Enzymes are produced by genes. * Genetic disorders are the result of faulty enzymes. * Operate best in optimum conditions of pH, temperature, etc. * Are controlled by feedback mechanisms. Enzyme mechanism: Key and theory: The substrates (reactants) are attracted to the enzyme molecule. They join forming an enzyme-substrate complex. The reaction occurs on an area of the enzyme molecule known as the active site producing new substrates(s) or products. Induced fit hypothesis: The attraction of the substrate and enzyme form an enzyme-substrate complex. It was originally referred to as the Lock and Key Enzyme Theory. The current theory

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Effect of Anaerobic Respiration On Yeast

The Effect of Temperature on the Anaerobic Respiration of Yeast Aim: To investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration in a suspension of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Background Knowledge: Yeasts are a form of eukaryotic microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with approximately 1,500 species known. They reproduce asexually by budding mainly, although some species reproduce by binary fission. They are unicellular, although some species with yeast forms may become multicellular due to way in which they normally reproduce. Typically the size of a yeast cell is approximately 3-4 µm in diameter but this can vary greatly depending on the species. The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used in baking and fermenting alcoholic beverages for thousands of years. It is also extremely important as a model organism in modern cell biology research, and is the most thoroughly researched eukaryotic microorganism. Researchers can use it to gather information into the biology of the eukaryotic cell and human biology. These microbes are thought to be one of the first domesticated organisms. People have used yeast for fermentation and baking throughout history. Archaeologists digging in Egyptian ruins found early grinding stones and baking chambers for yeasted bread, as well as drawings of 4,000-year-old bakeries and breweries. It has many

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Home Economics - Why is nutrition important to sports people?

In order to obtain an idea for a task I could research, I decided to do an initial brainstorm of all the areas that would be possible to complete the project on (see fig1, next page). The factors that would affect my decision of what area to choose, were how easy it would be for me to research the topic, whether I knew people I could speak to about it and whether it was something that interested me. Because of these, I decided to research into nutrition for rowing. This was because I am a rower myself which meant that it would interest me, I would already know about the topic and I knew a variety of people who would be able to provide information and help on the subject. For research: To start the project I needed to carry out some preliminary, general research into the sport and its demands. The following are some things I needed to research: o Sports nutrition o Nutritional requirements of a normal person o Nutritional requirements of a rower o What a rower should eat on the day of, and during the week before, a race. Preliminary research Sources To ensure that I could gat a balanced set of information I decided to use data from several media types. These could include magazines, people, websites, books and companies. The following are some sources I thought would be useful: o ARA (amateur rowing association) o Internet - including rowing websites, BBC website,

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Fighter Pilot A Statistical Analysis of Reaction time and its Correlation with Dominant & Non-Dominant Hands

Fighter Pilot A Statistical Analysis of Reaction time and its Correlation with Dominant & Non-Dominant Hands Introduction This experiment seeks to determine reaction times in two groups of matched subjects; dominant and non-dominant hands, using the ruler drop test. Reaction time experiments are performed to measure the alertness of the mind and will give an indication of the speed of the reflexes that different groups of varied individuals have. The experiment tests how long it takes the brain to translate visual information into the voluntary motor commands, actions which lead to a ruler being grabbed. The shorter the length at which the ruler is grabbed, the shorter time and therefore the faster the person's reaction. The controls of these processes within the human body are the responsibility of the nervous system which is the seat of voluntary and involuntary movements along with language, emotion and memory. (1) The experiment begins with an environmental stimulus via light reflected from a moving ruler being dropped from a height above the subject's hand. (1) This transmits into a sensory nervous impulse within the optic nerve. Beginning in the retina of the eye, information is detected by photoreceptors (rods and cones) they relay the visual signals on to bipolar cells which transmit on to ganglion cells. (2) The axons of all ganglion cells in the retina of each

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Biology - Most effective way of reducing blood pressure

The Problem - High Blood Pressure has always been the cause of Stokes and CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) leading to a Heart Attack or even CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease). It indeed is the biggest killer in this developed world. High blood pressure directly implicates on the blood vessels, the veins and the arteries. When blood pressure increases, it constantly damages the arteries, whereas arteries already have narrow lumens. When the artery wall gets damaged, by the high blood pressure putting an extra strain on the layer of cells (Endothelium), there are white blood cells moving to the damaged area, and they accumulate cholesterol from the blood. This cholesterol builds a deposit, known as atheroma. This is an inflammatory response. There also are calcium salts and fibrous tissue building up at the site, resulting in a hard swelling called a plaque on the inner wall of the artery. This hardens the artery. Those plaques case the artery to become narrower, which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body, in other words, there is a rise in blood pressure plus there now is a positive feedback building up as the process continues. A Blood Clot may also form there and even block the artery completely, minimising the blood supply, containing oxygen, to the heart which can lead to a heart attack and major CHD(s). {Results show that over 7 million people had

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Investigation on the size of Limpets.

Investigation on the size of Limpets Abstract: During my preliminary investigations, I established that sheltered and exposed rocky shores, differed immensely in their size of Limpets. Thus I was inspired to compare the size of Limpets on the sheltered rocky shore, Frenchman's Steps. The background knowledge and preliminary work enabled me conclude the following hypothesis; there will be a statistically significant difference between the size of limpets found on the sheltered rocky shore at two different vertical heights. I decided to look at 3M and 6M above chart datum for my investigation, as looking at the profile graph (appendix) the number of limpets was high at that chart datum. Aim: To determine if there is a difference in the size of limpets at two heights in there Vertical range. Scientific Background Limpets are animals that belong to the family Patellidae, subclass Prosobranchia of the phylum Molluscs. They have a strong, conical shell composed mainly of calcium carbonate, protecting the internal tissue, underneath which is a sucker, also known as the limpet foot, which allows limpets to adhere to rock surfaces, as shown in the photographs. Limpets are usually immobile unless they are foraging and so zonation is less apparent. As can be seen from the pictures above, limpets have a hydrodynamic shape so that resistance to water flow is reduced. This

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The Ways in Which Organisms Use ATP

The Ways in Which Organisms Use ATP ATP, the standard abbreviation of Adenosine-5'-triphosphate is a multifunctional nucleotide used in cells as a coenzyme, and can be best summarised as the standard energy currency universal to all organisms, and as such is utilised in metabolic (and other) processes throughout the cells of organisms, and is highly adapted to its function therein due to its high instability in aqueous solutions (eg tissue fluid) due to its easily hydrolysable phosphoannhydride bonds which when broken release a proportionally huge amount of energy. ATP is required during the contraction of skeletal muscle. ADP is released by the myosin head, this allows it to change shape thereby pulling the actin filament across itself. In order to detach the myosin molecule (for it to bind to a myosin binding site further along the actin) ATP binds to the myosin head, where it is hydrolysed to release ADP (which remains on the head) and inorganic phosphate. The energy released allows the myosin head to resume its normal position prior to the release of its ADP molecule, ready to bind further along the actin filament. Furthermore, ATP is utilised elsewhere within the same process, as it is used by carrier proteins on the membrane of the sarcoplasmic reticulum as a source of energy for the active transport of Ca2+ ions into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. It is when these

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