All Questions
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Choosing biology course for minor in computation biology [closed]
I apologize if this question is not right for this forum. I will be transferring to UC Davis where I will be majoring in computer science. I'm considering specializing in scientific computation and ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Which Enzymes Catalyse the Deacetylation of Drugs in the Human Body?
If you would like more specifics seeing how I realise that this question is very broad and may be difficult to answer in general then hopefully the following will help you out:
I am particularly ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
How might gene clusters like the lac operon evolve?
The obvious answer for a gene cluster is gene duplication and mutation of one or both genes. But the genes in the lac operon seem not be so functionally/structurally similar (as compared to the Hox ...
3
votes
1answer
56 views
205 nm UV-Vis readings
Typically we determine the concentration of proteins using a 280 nm reading. However, it is reasonable to use 205 nm. I was curious about the effectiveness of this method.
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Least painful way to die
There is a lot of talk about inhumane treatment of animals and how we don't kill them in the proper way. I wonder how much research is done on this subject. What is the overall least painful way for ...
1
vote
0answers
25 views
Experience with Detox Cloning
I just saw this paper.
A Highly Efficient Molecular Cloning Platform that Utilises a Small Bacterial Toxin Gene
I was curious if anyone had experience with this cloning strategy using the IbsC ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
DNA gel extraction: chemical contaminants
I am performing a gel extraction to purify DNA after a double digest with EcoRI and BamHI. After the gel extraction I need to complete a ligation step before bacterial transformation. The problem I ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
Onset of Autophagy
Fasting and Intermittent Fasting (IF) have been proven to start autophagy (cellular self-digestion). How long does the average man and woman have to wait for autophagy to begin? Does diet prior to ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
If life is discovered on another planet, will it likely be classified using the current domain/kingdom/phylum system?
This may be a stupid question showing my lack of understanding of taxonomy, but I was wondering if the current classification system we use contains broad enough categories to include new life forms, ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
How are geneticists able to isolate gene functions?
As an example, this Scientific American article describes a known area in the dog genome that metabolizes carbohydrates.
How is it that researchers are able to determine specific functions such as ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
What's the difference between life expectancy of cigarette smoker and general population?
Some say that smoking cigarettes will shorten lifespan. By how many years is the lifespan of a typical smoker shortened? What are the common cause(s) of death among smokers? Are there any known ...
1
vote
1answer
28 views
What is the brightest color a light source that only emits blue frequency light can achieve?
Let's say there is a luminous light bulb that only emits blue light, and you (or a camera if you prefer) look at it from a close distance. Will the maximum brightness perceived not have any "white" to ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
How might IVF (and related technologies) alter epigenetic marks?
I was reading up on KCNQ1, which encodes a voltage-gated potassium channel, and I discovered that it happens to be only maternally expressed. This is regulated by KCNQ1OT1, a non-coding RNA, which is ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Can mammals from different species reproduce?
I'm curious on how genetically different can two animals be in order to reproduce. Could they belong to different species?
One example is the mule which is the offspring of a donkey and a horse, in ...
0
votes
2answers
46 views
Zero selection in evolution
The evolution is creative because of random-generated solutions and useful because only best solutions are selected. The natural selection not only brings species to perfection but also keeps them ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
What does “Psychomodulatory” mean in the context of potentially psychoactive drugs?
What does "Psychomodulatory" mean in the context of potentially psychoactive drugs? That is, in this journal article http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390812001931 in the ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Is there a Pharmacology Textbook that Satisfies the Conditions listed in the Body of this Question?
The conditions are:
As extensive and explanatory as Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Twelfth Edition
With additional extensive and thoroughly explanatory information ...
3
votes
1answer
106 views
What is immunopanning (vs. immunoprecipitation and FACS)?
I had never heard the term before today. From what I can tell, it's using antibodies to purify a cell population of interest. I would appreciate more details, especially in how it differs from ...
6
votes
1answer
62 views
What is the best way to express two proteins in a mammalian cell?
I have two proteins and I will be preparing a vector with both genes for stable transfection. Each protein will have their own promoter and I will use piggyBac vector to insert a single cassette with ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Expanding the SETI initiative to seek intelligent data within DNA sequences?
I've recently read a couple articles dealing with long term data storage, and DNA was suggested as one of the prime candidates for long term storage of digital data additionally, there is this article ...
3
votes
0answers
38 views
What causes adenosine build up in the brain when awake?
Adenosine is an important hormone in sleep regulation. It is postulated that when a person is awake, there is a build up of adenosine in the brain, which inhibits the neurons in the brain, and ...
3
votes
0answers
15 views
A program for cell motility assessment with a batch process function?
Cell motility assessment is a branch of experimental biology or medical science. One example could be an assessment of treatment effects on sperm motility of an animal. The standard procedure involves ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
What is background binding?
I'm reading a journal article about mitochondrial protein import and it mentions that one of the mutant proteins tested showed background binding with another protein. What the heck is background ...
1
vote
2answers
172 views
How can homosexuality evolve despite natural selection?
I would imagine that the answer to this question would be population control, especially since even if one sibling is homosexual this does not necessarily mean that the other siblings will be too.
0
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0answers
33 views
What's the Evolutionary Purpose of Hair in Humans (namely the hair that grows on their skin, NOT internal hairs)? [closed]
My guess would be the following four:
Protection from the cold (especially head hair)
UV light protection (especially head hair but hair elsewhere would also protect from UV light in times when ...
4
votes
1answer
68 views
What causes humans to be sleepy?
Is there a hormone or group of hormones that regulates when we feel sleepy late at night, or in the morning? Or is sleepiness caused by some other non-hormonal mechanism? (e.g. pure psychological, ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
Is stereo olfactory ability restricted to humans?
Most animals I see around seem to have two nostrils - humans, snakes, birds, fish .. and so on. From reading online I see that 2 nostrils provide a stereo olfactory effect. This stereo effect is ...
3
votes
1answer
43 views
What limits the size of fish compared to marine mammals?
The largest extant fish species is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). With a length of 13 meters and a mass of about 20-30 metric tons, the whale shark is relatively small compared to the largest ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
what's an ethics-friendly way to measure the protocol of electric shocking mice?
We have to measure the protocol of electric shocking mice. The mice are head-fixed, we have to guarantee that the electric current is significant to make the mice learn, but not too big to make the ...
0
votes
2answers
36 views
More proteins from diet when common cold and flu?
My coach says that I need to eat 1.2 - 1.5 grams of proteins per kilogram when I have a common cold and flu.
I normally eat one gram of proteins per kilogram, while double it when doing my exercise ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
What could cause hairs to gray at the tips but not the roots?
I have noticed that some of my sporadic gray hairs are gray at the tip side but oddly, not near the roots. Some are even only gray in the middle. I find all of this very counter intuitive, and I ...
0
votes
0answers
15 views
Did the Swedish cod fishery expand in the past years?
The Marine Stewardship Council states that the cod fishery in the Eastern Baltic sea recovered well and issued it's MSC certificate to the Swedish cod fishery in 2011 for that region. (MSC 2011)
Data ...
0
votes
0answers
51 views
Analysis of cDNA samples from brain with suspected measles inclusion body encephalitis
I have been given the following question as an assignment but I am not sure what exactly the results mean:
You have been given brain biopsies from 5 patients with suspected measles inclusion body ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
Why do some people find vegetables so repellent when evolutionarily they should find them an attractive and thus tasty food?
Why do certain people (especially kids) find vegetables so "repellent" when evolutionarily they should find them an attractive and thus tasty food?
I ask this question because if Darwin's theory of ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
One flybase gene number (FBgn), many Affymetrix Id's
I am trying to convert a set of Affymetrix ID's, like this one 143053_at_3745, to Flybase Gene Numbers (FBgn) like this one FBgn0000015. I have downloaded the Flybase file required to do so (as ...
6
votes
1answer
92 views
Why human cannot stand still in one place?
When a human stands in one place, he cannot stand still but we can see the body slightly swings.
Is this due to the Earth rotation or it has something with biology and muscles relaxations?
I have ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
Are there nutritional benefits to drinking diluted urine?
I know that urine drinking is a widespread practice (with a long history). The main reason that people give today involves there being nutrients in urine.
If there are nutrients to be gained, why is ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
molecular bonds of organic atoms [closed]
Bellow are the atoms used in the human body. I have searched for a way to find the amount of bonds each atom is able to form but I'm having trouble because the convention of valence elections has ...
5
votes
2answers
77 views
What metabolic activities are performed by a developing human fetus's liver?
I understand that organ function varies with the stages of development. Does a fetal liver EVER perform lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, make bile, etc? Or does it only begin performing these actions ...
4
votes
1answer
36 views
Do kidneys have the enzyme 3-ketoacyl-CoA transferase?
I am thinking if kidneys can use ketone bodies as fuel.
Ketone bodies are water-soluble so no problem because of solubility.
The existence of the enzyme determines the answer.
Can kidneys use ketone ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
What controls the breast size?
I am not a biology student, just a curious person. To be specific, I'm talking about humans and specifically about females. I know that it might apply to other mammals.
What controls the size of ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
Why is important to get saturated fatty acids from diet?
I am thinking why our body must get saturated fatty acids from diet.
We can make them, since they are not essential fatty acids.
The body can make all fatty acids except linoleic acid and ...
3
votes
1answer
90 views
How does paracetamol interfere with immune system?
Paracetamol is used to reduce body temperature when it is to high. The high body temperature (fever) is known to be an indication that immune system fights against an infection.
In this context I ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
What kind of caterpillar is this?
I've made a photo using the reversed 58 mm lens and my cropped DSLR:
Could you please help? I really don't know where this came from.
I found it in Russia.
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Complexity in creating transgenic animals (e.g., mice)
Many papers I have seen describing transgenic rodent models (and presumably applicable to other model organisms) involve the knock-in, or modification to, a single gene, possibly two genes. With ...
3
votes
2answers
53 views
Do dolphins really sleep?
I have always wondered, if dolphins sleep with one eye opened, do they really sleep at all?
According to this article dolphins indeed shut down their brains.
I already googled it. No help from ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
Is there a way to measure the amount of bytes that are possible to encode in a DNA molecule?
When I saw a DNA molecule for the first time, it kinda reminded me of a hard drive. It consists of slots and there are some possible combinations for each slot; in the hard drive these possible ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Is there an optimal illumination level for human habitats/workplaces?
I know of melanopsin, a photo pigment in mammal eye that helps regulate circadian rhythms. It responds most strongly to blue spectrum light. There have been experiments that demonstrated that ...
2
votes
0answers
30 views
Does preservation in ethanol alter leaf litter mass?
I have benthic samples that were collected with an Ekman dredge from some small ponds. The samples contain quite a bit of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM, basically dead leaves). I would ...
2
votes
1answer
36 views
What's the difference between a free chromosome fragment and an extrachromosomal array?
This is reference to a review on C. elegans mosaic analysis by Yochem and Herman, in which the authors make a distinction between free chromosome fragments and extrachromosomal arrays.
For the ...
