Tagged Questions
3
votes
1answer
36 views
What molecular processes are involved in pseudopodial extension?
I am curious as to the processes and mechanisms involved in the extension of pseudopodia in amoeba. How does the cell know and control the direction and extent of pseudopodia formation at a molecular ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
How exactly does marijuana damage brain cells?
I've heard that THC can cause permanent damage to brain cells. I've also heard this reffered to anti drug propaganda. Another theory i've read is that temporary effects reduce intelligence but long ...
3
votes
2answers
210 views
Simple diffusion of lipid-soluble molecules through phospholipid bilayer — does anything get “stuck” in transit?
It's a pretty elementary concept, and when I first learned of it I don't think I had the foundations to even think of such a question, but I found myself the other day thinking about the amphipathic ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
What is the biochemical reason for mental fatigue?
Is it known exactly why the brain needs sleep? What's dropping low / going high when we experience mental fatigue? I can see why low glucose could result in mental fatigue, are other reasons known?
0
votes
2answers
90 views
Why do living organisms replicate itself or procreate
Why do living organisms spontaneously replicate itself or "procreate" (my understanding is that it does).
From a uni-cellular and micro-organism point of view. Is there some sort of stimulant in the ...
5
votes
1answer
103 views
How to Design an siRNA Experiment?
I'm going to undertake an siRNA experiment soon, but I have only read about them. I want to address the role an enzyme plays in processing a protein.
From what I understand, I will need to pick two ...
5
votes
1answer
106 views
Using ion-exchange chromatography to purify DNA from a cell extract - Is DNA more negatively charged then RNA?
When applying this method we have a glass or plastic column of resin which is positively charged. Then we pour cell extract into the column in order to capture the negatively charged particles which ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
When should endocytosis inhibitors be used in cell binding assays?
I'm beginning to do some cell-binding assays and I would like for my proteins to not be endocytosed by my mammalian cells. Typical suggestions are for the cells to be kept on ice and that the binding ...
5
votes
1answer
144 views
Are the cytosol and extracellular fluids electrically neutral?
I've found several sources that state that overall, the cytosol of a cell is electrically neutral. The extracellular fluid is also purportedly electrically neutral. How can that be when we have ...
10
votes
2answers
268 views
Could hydrogen replace oxygen in cellular respiration?
I was wondering what oxygen actually does in the body. I have seen a few answers to other questions that involve the electron chain and I am really not sure what that is. So I was wondering what ...
11
votes
1answer
72 views
Does a theory exist for the formation of thylakoid structure?
I'm interested in how the structure of the thylakoid forms into its characteristic highly rugose stacks of grana. What causes the thylakoid to invaginate and self-associate, albeit with what appear to ...
7
votes
1answer
135 views
When collecting cell lysates for a Western blot, how do I induce di-sulfide bonds?
I would like to conduct a simple dimerization experiment for some protein I'm collecting from a cultured cells. My thought is, that if I'm running a non-reducing, denaturing PAGE gel, then removing ...
17
votes
3answers
133 views
How crowded is the bacterial cell?
I was wondering what is the protein concentration in an E. coli cell. When studying enzyme kinetics and activity in vitro, I would argue that the substrate and enzyme concentrations resemble those in ...
6
votes
1answer
381 views
How does water buffer a sudden drop in temperature?
A property of water is that it is slow to heat and cool. According to my biology book, some energy from an increase in temperature would spent breaking hydrogen bonds, so that temperature does not ...
8
votes
3answers
220 views
What triggers meiosis in gonadal cells?
What specific biochemical processes are involved in inducing meiosis rather than mitosis? Why are gonadal cells the only cells in the human body which do undergo meiosis?
