The function of chemistry within the scope of biology; the study of the compounds that occur, and the reactions involving them, in living organisms.
28
votes
4answers
2k views
Why 20 amino acids instead of 64?
This question got me thinking about amino acids and the ambiguity in the genetic code. With 4 nucleotides in RNA and 3 per codon, there are 64 codons. However, these 64 codons only code for 20 amino ...
10
votes
3answers
435 views
What implications has the missing 2'-OH on the capability of DNA to form 3D structures?
The chemical difference between RNA and DNA is the missing 2'-hydroxyl group in the nucleotides that build DNA. The major effect of that change that I know of is the higher stability of DNA compared ...
17
votes
4answers
2k views
Death because of distilled water consumption
One of my friends said that I would die if I drank distilled water (we were using it in a chemistry experiment) I gave it a go and surprisingly did not die.
I did a bit of Googling and found this
...
8
votes
1answer
157 views
Does DNA react in all of the ways most other acids do?
As I understand it from my basic chemistry, there are some fundamental reactions that exist between any acid and other substances for example acid-base reactions that form a salt, and the existence of ...
28
votes
4answers
697 views
Can scientists create totally synthetic life?
This particular question has been of a great deal of interest to me, especially since it dives at the heart of abiogenesis.
19
votes
1answer
183 views
Evolutionary origin and exogenous cues of ~28 day infradian rhythm?
The most obvious example of an approximately monthly biological cycle is the human menstrual cycle. My questions are the following:
Is it known when and where this cycle or one like it arose?
What ...
14
votes
2answers
917 views
Why is glucose our primary source of energy?
Is there any evolutionary reason for glucose being the "main" molecule used as a source of energy, beginning with glycolysis and subsequently cellular respiration (after being converted to two ...
15
votes
4answers
706 views
Why are there exactly four nucleobases in DNA?
Does someone know why DNA is composed of four nucleobases? In particular, is there an explanation for the number? Why four and not two, or eight?
12
votes
2answers
415 views
Is the EC50 of an activating protein for an enzyme a good indicator for the binding affinity Kd?
We work with a membrane protein system where measuring the affinity between the enzyme and the upstream activating protein has been difficult, and when measured in detergent solution, it is almost 100 ...
11
votes
1answer
797 views
How does a plant grow before photosynthesis is possible?
During photosynthesis, a plant translates CO2, water and light into O2. I assume the carbon C is further used for the growing process. I wonder how the plant grows before the time where photosynthesis ...
10
votes
3answers
257 views
Where does the 'C' in exhaled CO2 mostly come from?
When a human being exhales $CO_2$, what is, by the numbers, the main source of carbon atoms exiting the body in this way? I mean what class of cells, or which tissues are the biggest on a pie chart of ...
10
votes
1answer
199 views
How do I get the current “camera position” in PyMol so I can reuse it in scripts?
I have a few protein models I want to take pictures of with various ligands bound. It would be nice if I could do it from the same "position", but the only way I can figure out to repeat the same ...
8
votes
1answer
564 views
Why is GTP gamma S non hydrolyzable?
GTP gamma S is routinely used in studies of G proteins to stably activate the G protein. Comparing the structures of GTP gamma S and GTP, the Sulphur atom replaces the Oxygen attached to the leaving ...
1
vote
0answers
18 views
Can the sulphur content of biological material be reliably calculated from fat, fibre and protein contents (Weender Analysis)?
An often-used analysis of feedstocks for lifestocks is the Weender analysis, which basically divides the volatile solid content into fats, fibre and protein, as well as N-free matter. I found no ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
How to manufacture different sized micelles in nano -scale?
I am trying to answer q5:
"How can you manufacture micelles in A) nanometerer -scale B) and in ten nanometer -scale?"
My Thinking
Observations and some thinking
Oil in ...
