Questions tagged [organic-chemistry]
Chemistry relating to carbon-containing compounds. Should relate to biology as opposed to being purely about chemistry.
59
questions
2
votes
0answers
70 views
What is the representation for Sulfur in organic matter?
We often represent organic matter with the following equation:
$$
(CH_2O)_x(NH_3)_y(H_3PO_4)_z \tag{0}
$$
For example, the organic matter with the Redfield ratio has the form of $(CH_2O)_{106}(NH_3)_{...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Measuring the protein content using UV Vis
The experiment is to determine the protein content of the solution. I followed the procedure of the Bradford assay but the reagent needed is unavailable and so we use an alternative by using cold pure ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Why amylopectin gives brownish color in presence of iodine?
The iodine test used to determine the presence of starch. Amylose gives darker color in presence of iodine because iodine becomes polyiodide which electron exceptor and amylose becomes electron ...
1
vote
0answers
48 views
Can I use dATP instead of ATP (vice versa) for in vitro assay? [closed]
For example, polynucleotide synthesis reaction requires dATP which gives H on 3'end and synthesizes polynucleotide. For this reaction can I use ATP because I knew that ddNTPs are used so that ATP ...
2
votes
1answer
110 views
1% water solution of deoxycholic acid. How is it prepared? [closed]
According to Sigma, the solubility of deoxycholic acid is:
0.24 g/L in water at 15C
According to the FDA, Kybella (trademark) is a 1% water solution of deoxycholic acid.
How did they do this?
1
vote
0answers
51 views
Is there a chemical reaction that blocks two cysteines by reacting with a third molecule?
The idea is to block the two cysteines so they can't react in the future. We need the reaction to remove the -SH groups of the two cysteines, or modify them.
Also important, the reaction should not ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Quantification of various amino acids from bacteria?
I would like to characterise how much of various (uncommon) cytosolic amino acids are produced in bacteria, and was wondering if there are good suggestions of how to go about doing this. I know that ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Why does the high consumption of saturated fats lead to more risk of cardiovascular diseases and increased cholestrol levels? [duplicate]
People with higher consumption of saturated fats are more at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases as compared to people who mostly consume unsaturated fat. The only structural difference is a ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Is there anyway from which we can measure the viscosity of honey using a refractometer?
Is it possible to use a refractometer to measure the viscosity of honey because as we know, a refractometer is used to measure moisture and therefore water influences the viscosity of honey so is ...
5
votes
1answer
123 views
Tryptophan side-chain structure, how should it be orientated?
I would like some clarification on whether it matters where the NH and double bond are placed in these two structures of tryptophan (W) that I drew. I marked the right side as correct and the left ...
3
votes
1answer
113 views
Why do we need to amplify DNA sequences?
I am learning about biotechnology. I have no education in biology or chemistry and am simply interested in the subject of biotechnology.
I am wondering why we need to have multiple copies of a piece ...
3
votes
0answers
138 views
Living potato clock? [duplicate]
Could a potato stay alive and power a clock while growing in the ground?
I know how a potato clock works as a electrochemical cell and involves chemistry, but I am only interested in a growing ...
4
votes
1answer
48 views
Is studying chemical and physical properties of chemical substances that make up organisms really a task of molecular biology?
I have read in a high school textbook that (translated into English by myself): "Branch of science that concerns itself with studying chemical and physical properties of substances that make up ...
0
votes
0answers
62 views
Why does decomposing matter emit a bad smell?
Often, when matter decomposes (such as a rotting carcass), a nasty smell is emitted. After speaking to my teacher, it was likely due to the nitrogen compounds that leads to the bad smell. Is this so?...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Is there a organ or type of cell that makes Nagalase?
Schindler disease / Kanzaki disease is being described as alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency. So then, which organ or cell(s) produce this alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) ?
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Glycosidic bonds
For the glycosidic bond in maltose, why is the glycosidic bond formed between hydroxyl group on C1 in 1 glucose molecule and hydroxyl group on C4 of the other glucose molecule? Why not between, say, ...
1
vote
1answer
264 views
How do alcohols and aldehydes destroy the plasma membranes of bacteria?
I am interested in knowing why a 60-80% solution of alcohol (usually ethanol or 2-propanol) can effectively kill vegetative bacteria and fungi. I know that it can coagulate essential proteins like ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Amino acid structural charges [closed]
Hello,
I was wondering if i could get an explanation as to why the charge of this peptide is +2 and -2. How do you figure this out? What is it based on exactly?
Thank you
3
votes
0answers
61 views
Preparation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate from glycerine by fermentation
I read on Wikipedia that
dihydroxyacetone (DHA) can be obtained from fermentation of glycerin. I would like to obtain dihydydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) for a science experiment but, since I'm 15, I ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
What chemicals will kill P1 Phage but not E. coli?
I'm working with E. coli and P1 Phage. I'm wondering if there is some chemical agent that will kill or disable P1 but leave E. coli untouched? It is not enough to just prevent infection. It must ...
0
votes
1answer
355 views
Is DEET (as in the mosquito repellent), a substituted phenethylamine? [closed]
Am I correct to say that N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is a part of the phenethylamine class? It's structure meets the requirements to be a phenythylamine, however, I was not able to find anywhere ...
1
vote
0answers
246 views
Why does the brain produce cannabinoids?
I've been reading lately about the brain producing cannabinoids. I was introduced to this idea by the Wim Hof Method which has been shown to increase the amount of cannabinoids (that is, compounds ...
2
votes
1answer
404 views
Can emulsion test be used to detect phospholipids?
The emulsion test- causes a white cloudy colour when lipid is dissolved in ethanol and then water added.
Can this be used for phospholipids? I am aware that they are polar so may arrange in a ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Text Book Recommendation: Cell & Molecular Biology + Organic Chemistry
I am studying undergraduate biology course and I have cell biology and molecular biology in my next semester. Our college recommends three books : Cooper, Lodish & Bruce Alberts. It would be ...
2
votes
0answers
80 views
Why did plants evolve to use opioids? [closed]
I'm reading about medicine and specifically opioids. There seems to be a wide variety of forms of these chemicals, I'm curious as to what purpose these serve in these respective plants, and why they ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
What will CD spectroscopy show when L- and D- forms of proteins are mixed?
What will happen if equimolar concentration of L- and D- forms of proteins are mixed and we take the circular dichroism reading? Will the positive and negative ellipticity cancel each other out or ...
2
votes
1answer
188 views
What are some uses of oxidative/reductive power inside cells? [closed]
I know respiration and photosynthesis are based on oxidation and reduction, and the formation of NADH and NADPH in them is very important for many cell processes. I know that NADPH, for example, is ...
4
votes
1answer
942 views
Glycogen vs cellulose-curvature of glycogen molecule?
I was wondering if anyone knows what the degree of curvature is or bond angle between the $\alpha$ glucose molecules in glycogen is. I know that glycogen/amylose/amylopectin have a general curved ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Can the dietary fibres as chemical compounds be regarded as polymers? [closed]
At the level of molecular structure, can the dietary fibres be regarded as polymers?
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Does mechanotransduction of cells play a role in the biocompatibility of titanium?
What exactly is mechanotransduction as the information varies between sources. Some sources indicate that mechanotransduction is the underlying principle where cells pull on the surface they grow on ...
5
votes
1answer
535 views
What is a lethal dose of THC?
With the oil form of THC being stronger then ever. What would happen if one was to take a stomach full of THC oil?
5
votes
3answers
132 views
Wax layer destruction from seed coats
I'm working with some orchid species, and i encounter a specific issue. Some of those species deposits upon their seed coat a wax layer. This layer makes seeds behave in a very hydrophobic way. You ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
How can I estimate the COā uptake of a plant?
I would like to make an estimation of the CO2 uptake of plants I cultivate, including, lettuce and aromatic herbs, such as thyme, basil, rosemary. What I want is to end up with a rough indicator for ...
3
votes
2answers
575 views
Why are human titin and mice titin considered the same protein?
I have a book that says:
In humans titin is a chain of 34,350 amino acids, but in mice it is even longer with 35,213 amino acids.
If two polypeptides had different amino acid sequence lengths, how ...
4
votes
2answers
775 views
Blebbistatin effect on vesicles
Blebbistatin is a drug that specifically inhibits the assembly of myosin in the cytoskeleton. What effect would you expect blebbistatin to have on intracellular vesicles?
...
4
votes
1answer
5k views
Anomalous base pairing of nucleotide tautomers
What tautomers base pair with what bases?
I know that adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine normally. My question is what does the imino form of adenine base pair with? Regular ...
3
votes
1answer
4k views
Is household ammonia okay for plants?
My father-in-law claims that since plants need nitrogen to produce proteins, and since ammonia is NH3, that Ammonia should be fine for the plants, since it's just nitrogen and water and hydrogen, ...
2
votes
1answer
785 views
How to calculate the Jaccard index [closed]
I want to calculate the Jaccard index between two compounds. What is the algorithm? I have searched for it, it just gives the formula but how to apply it on compounds is not known to me. Can you help?
0
votes
1answer
98 views
What are these pathways called in Biology?
Considering the pentose phosphate pathway and the sulfate reduction pathway in bacteria;
What are these types of reactions called in biology? Bio degradation reactions or bio transformation reactions ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
Factors on which one compound transforming to another compound depend [closed]
Considering the Metabolic Pathway:
http://www.genome.jp/kegg-bin/show_module?M00166
Consider the reaction R01523(the very first reaction). How is it possible to know that the compound C00199(D-...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
Question related to L-arginine biosynthesis
With respect to the L-arginine Biosynthesis pathway, the very first reaction converts L-glutamate to N-acetyl L-glutamate.
In the linked reaction scheme, why are only L-glutamate and N-acetyl ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Question regarding an Escherichia coli reaction
With respect to this link
http://www.biocyc.org/ECOLI/NEW-IMAGE?type=REACTION&object=RXN-14479
Here the enzyme is mentioned and the two reacting compounds. Now , my question is
1. When these ...
4
votes
2answers
453 views
Do acetyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and acetyl-glutamate carry any charge?
Do the following compounds have any charge? If not, then why? If yes, is there any database that would give me this information if the compound is negatively or positively charged?
The compounds are ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
Water soluble molecules
I believe I may have misunderstood water solubility this entire time.
I assumed that water soluble meant that it would literally dissolve in water. It would break down into atoms. A sugar molecule ...
2
votes
0answers
518 views
What is the chemical makeup of mealworm frass?
We have been raising mealworms for some time and while mealworm frass has proven very useful as a plant fertilizer, I started wondering about other potential uses of this leftover waste.
Can someone ...
1
vote
1answer
666 views
How is the rate of transcription influenced by temperature?
How is the rate of transcription influenced by temperature? More precisely, I am looking for an article who quantitatively measured the rate of transcription of an "average gene" and show how this ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
What are the minimal chemical requirements for a food which we all can eat? [closed]
I've been puzzled by the following though experiment for the past few days:
I want to make my own food from scratch, but I do not know where to start from.
I want to be 100% sure that what I eat will ...
0
votes
2answers
916 views
How can you explain the origin of life out of nonliving matter (abiogenesis)? [closed]
According to biochemist Robert Shapiro, the "primordial soup" theory is as follows:
Early Earth had a chemically reducing atmosphere.
This atmosphere, exposed to energy in various forms, produced ...
2
votes
1answer
410 views
Solubility of Forskolin in ethanol
I am interested in using forskolin in cell culture medium. Does anyone know how to make solution of 10 microM forskolin in 5% ethanol or less. I would like to avoid using DMSO as a solvent.
Thank you. ...
5
votes
1answer
17k views
What does the (-) in the molecule name mean?
I'm reading some text (purchase request) that has the following line in it.
(-)-Norepinephrine
What does the minus sign mean in front that is in parenthesis? Is this some kind of standard way of ...
