Investigating the effects of surface area on the rate of enzyme reactions.

AS Biology Coursework assignment Investigating the effects of surface area on the rate of enzyme reactions By Scott Humm Introduction Enzymes basically are biological catalysts. What this means is they have the ability to speed up reactions without actually being used up themselves. Enzymes are globular proteins and they have a three-dimensional shape, which is very precise and never varies between two examples of the same protein. The active site for all molecules of the same enzyme will be made up of the same arrangement of amino acids. This exact shape and arrangement of amino acids enables the enzymes to be highly specific and this defines which substrate they bind to in the active site. Because they are so specific, enzymes are thought to catalyse substrate into two different products by the "Lock and Key hypothesis". Diagram taken from http://schools.moe.edu.sg/chijsjc/Biology/Enzyme/enzyme.htm This diagram shows how enzymes catalyse the breakdown of a substrate molecule into two products. The only way that another molecule can bind with an enzyme's active site is if it is an inhibitor. Inhibitors are molecules that can bind with the active site briefly causing competition between itself and any substrate molecules. When there is a very high concentration of inhibitors, substrate molecules do not bind with active sites as easily because there are less of them.

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  • Level: GCSE
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How does Heaney explore the issues of background and identity in his early poems, Digging and Follower?

How does Heaney explore the issues of background and identity in his early poems, Digging and Follower? Digging and Follower show Heaney delving into his earliest personal memories of his childhood and giving them life through words. He uses diverse approaches to expose the underlying emotion of his memories, using tactile imagery that is often also metaphorical. On the surface, his poetry may appear simple, or perhaps trivial - but often, as with all things, there is more to it than what first glance reveals. Heaney does not use pretentious elaborate visual description that is 'sugar coated' in the way that memories usually are. His use of onomatopoeia and 'clumsy' words such as "squelch", "slap" often verge on the grotesque but are extremely effective in conveying a sense of reality. By remembering these simple details, such as the sound of a spade 'rasping' as it sinks into 'gravelly ground', Heaney can make connections with his past background and seek to define his identity through his poems. Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; snug as a gun. Digging presents a good example of a parallel between the tactile and metaphorical. The first two-line stanza 'earths' the poem to the poet - using direct, simple, striking language. "Gun" particularly draws the reader's attention; it is aggressive and monosyllabic. Heaney remembers the way his father, a

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Problem - Maintaining the habitat of the capybara and breeding them for meat.

Problem - Maintaining the habitat of the capybara and breeding them for meat. The capybara (shown left 10) is currently classified as a common species in the 2000 IUCN Red List of threatened species. However, I have found through research that the number of capybara in the wild is declining, "Mortality from hunting is responsible for local extinctions or scarcity in many localities".1 Also this is confirmed by the statistic, "Today barely 100,000 capybaras are left in Venezuela". 2 The classification of the capybara as 'common' also means that people are unaware of the affect hunting will, and is having on the population of capybara living in the wild. The conservation of the capybara is overlooked by most people as it is considered a pest, due to its tendency to raid crops when fresh grazing is not available. The capybara has a great variety of habitats from forest and brush land to swamps, brackish mangrove areas and open savannah. The habitat needs to have all the components of water, dry ground on which to rest, grass and natural shelter1. These habitats are being destroyed by human activities, such as pollution of freshwater and the drainage of wetlands for agricultural use of the fertile soil, causing damage to the environment where the capybara seeks refuge from predators. Water is being abstracted for human usage increasing the threat to freshwater habitats.

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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Examine the tension between life 'in the city' and life 'in nature' as depicted in Ingmar Bergman's film Summer with Monika.

Examine the tension between life 'in the city' and life 'in nature' as depicted in Ingmar Bergman's film Summer with Monika. Set in 1950s Sweden, 'Summer with Monika' is a film which, through various technological and plot related methods brings up the contemporary issue of conflict between urban living and a more traditional life style. Bergman employs multiple cinematic techniques as well as paralleling the urban versus rural tension through the artificial and strained relationship of the two protagonists and 'lover'; Monika and Harry. Although their relationship ends with the inarguable fact that their opposites have prevailed and affections diminished, the way Bergman represents the two settings as initially of having stark differences, but then occasionally making suggestions of their harmonious similarities, leaves the audience feeling a little conclusive about the relationship between the two environments. The opening sequence is perhaps one of the most important to analyse in terms of the city is represented. The first montage introduces the audience to the city's boundaries; softly focused establishing shots looking out from the harbour create a calming impression of the environment for the audience. The lack of non-diagetic music and the slow fading dissolves between shots also add to the feeling of serene naturalness of the less built up world. The last dissolve

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Electrical Hazards.

Electrical Hazards, risks of injury or death arising from exposure to electricity. Electricity is essential to daily life, providing heat and light and powering appliances in homes and factories. It must, however, be treated with great care, because the consequences of an electrical fault can be serious and sometimes fatal. Generally voltages greater than 50 volts can present a serious hazard and currents of more than about 50 milliamps flowing through the human body can lead to death by electrocution. A shock occurs when a "live" part of some device is touched, so that current passes through the body. Its severity depends on many factors, including the body's conductivity (the ease with which electricity passes through it). The conductivity is usually small, but can be increased if the body or clothing is wet. The risk of injury also increases according to the size of the voltage or current, or the duration of contact. There is a risk of electrocution (death by electric shock) if current passes across the heart. For example, if one foot is touching wet ground, the risk is greater if the arm on the opposite side touches a high-voltage source than it would be if the arm on the same side did so. Current passing into the body generates heat, which burns the tissue. Electricity can also present less direct risks. Burns are caused when hot surfaces on electrical appliances are

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  • Level: AS and A Level
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Lord of the flies- english coursework how well does chapter one prepare us for the rest of the novel.

Lord of the Flies coursework (How well does chapter one prepare us for the rest of the novel?) William Golding's novel 'Lord of the Flies' was published in 1954. The novel explores the need for democratic organization, and tackles many themes including evil in mankind, people are inherently evil and the need for political democracy. The novel was inspired by many experiences of Golding's life; William Golding was an English teacher at an all boys school for a few years and in one of his English classes he tried to debate with the boys, it ended very badly with the boys fighting and showing they can not control themselves, this is also very relevant as this would have provided Golding with enough knowledge of schoolboys and their behavior, for this novel to be so realistic. William Golding also served in the Royal Navy and the novel was published during WWII. These past experiences are linked to the themes in which Golding choose to tackle in his novel, for example evil and savagery. Also this novel is said to be very similar to the book 'Coral Island' by R.M Ballantyne. Although Golding takes the character's names and story line, he changes it in many ways as he projects the evil and savagery onto the boys. The opening chapter of LOTF is very effective in introducing the characters, themes and symbols, and in this essay I shall explore how Golding does this. Golding

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  • Subject: English
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Persuasive Speech - Poverty

The gap between the world's rich and poor has never been wider. While wealthy individuals are relishing in a lavish life of luxury, millions are being forced to endure an insufferable daily reality of poverty, conflict and lack of food. For these disadvantaged people, the hunger is unrelenting and the desperation is overwhelming. The time for a drastic change has arrived. It is up to you and I to make a difference before a significant proportion of the world's population drown in an ocean of poverty. We must save lives. Shockingly, a child dies every three seconds from AIDS and severe starvation. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that this infant mortality rate is unacceptably high. Something must be done in order to help countless families escape the famine pandemic. Unsurprisingly, there is sufficient food in the world to cater for everyone's needs. So why do so many find themselves ensnared by extreme poverty? Millions of people worldwide are trapped on an incessant downward spiral, frenetically fighting for food, education...and their lives. These people lack money; they are unable to purchase enough food to nourish themselves and their families. Inevitably, this continuous malnutrition leads their physical and mental condition to deteriorate, therefore decreasing their ability to work. With no employment, their finances continue to diminish, leaving only one

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Thermal insulators.

Zeadon Jamil Thermal insulators Aim To investigate different materials for the most effective thermal insulator for a house. Introduction Heat transfer is the gain and loss of energy. There are three ways in which thermal energy can be transferred: * Conduction * Convection * Radiation Conduction - this is when energy travels from molecule to another. When one molecule receives energy it begins to vibrate and hits other molecules and makes them vibrate. And will spread throughout the object. Convection - this will only occur in gases and liquids. When heat is applied to the bottom of the substance, it will heat it up. When it heats up, it will rise to the top, forcing colder areas towards the heat source and then they will receive energy and rise to the top, etc. Radiation - it travels in waves. When it hits a molecule it makes it vibrate. I will be concentrating on conduction, as this is the main way in which thermal energy is transferred lost from housing. Which means that I need something that is a bad thermal conductor (good thermal insulator) to keep the amount of conduction to a bare minimum? Plan I am planning to test five materials (paper, cling film, cloth, bubble wrap and plastic) and one control, three times and find the average (to ensure accuracy). Whichever material changes the temp of the water the least is the best insulator. I will wrap

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The Process of Human Digestion

The Process of Human Digestion Digestive System, series of organs put together that purpose is to break down, or digest, the food we eat. Food is made up of large things called, complex molecules, which the digestive system breaks down into smaller things called simple molecules that get absorbed into the bloodstream. The bloodstream is our blood. The simple molecules travel through the bloodstream to all of the parts of the body, which we use for growth, repair, and energy. All living things that eat to get energy have a digestive system, a feature that makes us different from plants. Plants make their own food in a process called photosynthesis, photosynthesis is when plants make sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into simple sugars. But animals, including humans, must take in food in the form of organic matter, such as plants or other animals. Digestion generally involves two parts: a mechanical part and a chemical part. In the mechanical part, teeth physically break down large pieces of food into smaller pieces. In the chemical part, digestive chemicals called enzymes break apart individual molecules of food to yield molecules that can be absorbed and distributed throughout the body. These enzymes are secreted by glands in the body. The digestive system of most animals consists mainly of a long, tube called the alimentary canal, or digestive tract. This canal

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Theories of the resurrection of the body are logically coherent.

Theories of resurrection of the body are logically coherent. Discuss. The idea of the resurrection of the body immediately implies life after death. It also implies that a body that has been destroyed can come back in a state of physicality. In this essay, I will argue that such way of approaching the idea of life after death is not wholly logically incoherent. However, I will also consider dilemmas linking to questions such as: does the idea of the resurrection of the body defies our personal continuity? Is the body necessary for personal continuity? And, finally, is death a reality or a type of incarnation of the body into another form? The key issues in arguing for the resurrection of the body comes when we begin to explore such questions as: does life after death necessarily necessitate a body? Can life after death ensure continuity of our personal identity? Firstly, I believe it is important to distinguish between the concept of 'resurrection' of the body and that of 'immortality' of the soul as both concepts argue for life after death. By 'resurrection' of the body I understand that a body that has experienced death and physical disintegration is able to come back to its original form. For instance, the example of Jesus' resurrection fits exactly the category. The body is destroyed and then resurrected exactly to how it was prior death. According to the doctrine of

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Religious Studies & Philosophy
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