Web Activities
UNIT 1 - METABOLIC PROCESSES
Chapter 1 – The Chemical Basis of Life
Page Number
Question
p. 50
Case Study: Sequencing a Polypeptide
Conduct library and/or Internet research to answer questions 2–5
2. What was the first protein to be fully sequenced? Who
conducted the experiment and when was it accomplished? What substance
was used to identify the amino-terminal amino acid? What problems
were encountered in the process?
3. What “wet” methods could be used to identify
the PTH derivative produced in the Edman process?
4. Identify another method used to sequence a protein. Describe
the process.
5. A number of organizations on the Internet offer protein
sequencing and protein synthesis services. Search the Internet for
these organizations. What types of organizations usually do this sort
of work? Describe a typical pricing structure and suggest reasons
for the pricing scheme.
Advanced
Protein Technology Centre
Advanced Protein Technology Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children,
Toronto, offers a range of services to protein researchers. Find out
how much it costs to identify, synthesize, or sequence proteins using
the latest technology.
Insulin:
Protein of the 20th Century
Insulin: Protein of the 20th Century features the history of the sequencing
of insulin. The site also gives information on the protein’s
structure and its importance.
The
University of Reading: Amino Acid Analysis and Protein Sequencing
This Web page, maintained by the University of Reading, contains a
brief introduction to Amino Acid Analysis and Protein Sequencing.
Protein
Sequencing with a Modified Edman Reagent
Protein Sequencing with a Modified Edman Reagent is a paper written
by a researcher at Cal Tech. He explains how to use Edman sequencing
and how to overcome any problems with the procedures involved in Edman
sequencing.
Analysis
of a Protein
This extremely informative site describes
a number of different procedures involved in protein sequencing.
Protein
Facilities Resource Guide
The Protein Facilities Resource Guide is an extensive list of links
to places around the world that offer protein synthesis and sequencing
services.
p. 51
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: Functional Foods and
Nutriceuticals
Statement: Nutriceuticals should be regulated as drugs under the
Canada Food and Drug Act
- In your group, research the issue. Search for information
in newspapers, periodicals, CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.
- Identify individuals, organizations, and government agencies
that have addressed the issue.
- Identify the perspectives of opposing positions.
Functional
Foods and Nutriceuticals
Functional Foods and Nutriceuticals is a rich source of information
provided by the Canadian federal government. It includes a wide
range of links to research centers and companies in the industry,
as well as global news items, government regulations, and current
research.
Economics
of Nutriceuticals
The Economics of Nutriceuticals is the title of an entire issue
of the on-line research journal, AgBioForum. It includes an article
discussing the regulation of information for consumers.
Canada’s
Potential in the Nutriceuticals Industry
This summary report on Canada’s Potential in the Nutriceuticals
Industry explores current sales and production in our country, and
the possibilities for the future.
p. 57
Section 1.2 questions
21. A group of researchers at the University of Washington
in Seattle have found that they can produce functional proteins with
only five of the twenty amino acids.
b. Conduct Internet research to explore the details of this
study and to evaluate your prediction. When evaluating your prediction,
do not focus on the specific amino acids you chose, instead compare
the assortment of R-groups in your list and theirs.
A
Letter-Perfect Protein
A Letter-Perfect Protein is a ScienceNewsOnline article that explains
the reasoning and findings behind the study that led to the creation
of a 5 amino acid protein. Includes links for further reading.
p. 57
Section 1.2 questions
25. Soybeans have been called the “miracle crop”
partially because of the carbohydrate-rich meal obtained from the seed,
but also due to the versatility of the soybean oil. Conduct Internet
research to answer the following questions about soybean-based products.
a. Describe four nonfood uses of soybeans.
b. For each of the uses described in (a), explain why the
soybean alternative is preferable to the conventional material.
New
Uses for Soybeans
New Uses for Soybeans is an impressive list compiled by the Ontario
Soybean Growers.
Industrial
Products from Soybeans
Industrial Products from Soybeans lists some of the uses of soya,
and relates the finished product to chemical composition.
p. 57
Section 1.2 questions
26. Carnuba wax is a natural wax that is used in the cosmetic,
pharmaceutical, cleansing, and food industries. Conduct library and
Internet research to answer the following questions about carnuba wax.
a. What is the must common source of carnuba wax?
b. Describe the physical properties of carnuba wax that gives
the material its useful characteristics.
c. Describe five different uses of carnuba wax.
Carnauba
Wax
The Web site of the Strauhl and Pitsch wax company includes a section
on Carnauba Wax with a list of uses, as well as a table of chemical
properties for the different forms of the product.
Noble
Uses
The many Noble Uses of carnauba wax are outlined in this Brazilian
company's site. It also includes a simple explanation of the chemical
properties that make this wax unique.
p. 77
Section 1.4 questions
10. Papain and bromelain are the two most commonly used enzymes
in commercial meat tenderizers. Conduct library or Internet research
to answer the following questions regarding these two enzymes.
a. What are meat tenderizers? What are they used for?
b.What type of enzyme are papain and bromelain? (What is
their substrate?)
c. What is the source of the papain and bromelain found in
commercial meat tenderizer preparations?
d. What is the Milk Clot Assay (MSA), and how is it used
in the meat processing industry?
e. The antemortem method of tenderizing meat involved the
physical injection of solution of papain or bromelain into the living
animal. The enzyme tenderizes the muscle tissue while the animal is
alive. Discuss this method with fellow classmates and write a brief
position statement on the ethics of this procedure.
Papain
Technical information and references about Papain are provided by
the Worthington Biochemical Corporation, which sells enzymes.
Meat
Tenderizing
This description of Meat Tenderizing comes from an enzyme company
that sells papain and bromelain. The sources, uses, chemical properties,
and the milk clot assay of these two meat tenderizers are explained.
p. 77
Section 1.4 questions
11. Recent advances in wound treatment include the use of enzymatic
debridement preparations. Conduct library or Internet research to answer
the following questions regarding novel debridement procedures.
a. What is debridement?
b. Why is debridement performed?
c. What debridement methods are available to the physician
treating a wound?
d. What types of enzymes are used in debridement procedures?
e. What are the benefits and drawbacks of enzymatic debridement?
Debridement
Use the AccessMED Health Information Library to learn more about debridement.
Click on the letter "D" to access a list of health terms,
including debridment. This is an easy-to-understand description of
the purpose, different methods, and risks of debridement.
Debridement
Methods
The Wound Care Information Network provides information on the specific
advantages and disadvantages of the different Debridement Methods.
p. 81
Activity 1.2.1 Biological Macromolecules in 3-D
Part II: Viewing Biomolecules Using Computer-Generated Graphics:
Molecules of Life
IMPORTANT: Before you begin this activity, you
must download and install CHIME. This program is free, but requires
that you register. You can do this by visiting the site linked below,
and clicking the "Register" button. Make sure that you download and
install the most recent version of CHIME. If you have previously
downloaded the CHIME plug-in, and are now having trouble viewing molecules,
please revisit the MDL site to download the latest version.
CLICK
HERE TO VISIT THE MDL SITE TO REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD CHIME
1. Log onto your computer and follow instructions from your
teacher to access the Molecules
of Life computer modelling program.
2. Read the Molecules of Life—Introduction,
which describes the software and the mouse actions that allow you
to view and manipulate the computer generated images of molecules.
When you have finished reading the instructions and practicing molecule
manipulations, move on to the Exploring Molecules section.
3. Complete each of the following molecule sections as listed
and answer the questions on the computer as well as the analysis questions
below.
p. 87
Review
31. The “hot” ingredient in peppers of the genus
Capiscum is a compound called capsaicin. Conduct library or Internet
research to answer the following questions about capsaicin.
a. Draw the structural formula for capsaicin.
b. Explain how capsaicin’s chemical structure allows
the compound to produce a persistent burning sensation.
c. How is the burning sensation produced by capsaicin and
that produced by heat similar?
d. What part of the pepper contains the highest concentration
of capsaicin?
e. What is the Scoville test for capsaicin? Which peppers
have the lowest test score? Which have the highest? What is the test
score for pure capsaicin?
f. Why is drinking water an ineffective way of relieving
the burning sensation caused by hot peppers? What beverage works better?
Why?
g. Describe three nonfood applications of capsaicin.
A
Few Items of Interest for Those Interested in Chili Peppers
This interesting Web page includes facts about chili peppers, information
about Scoville units, and details about peppers and health.
Topical
Capsaicin
Topical Capsaicin: A description of the use and side ffects of this
medicine, on the Medline Plus Web site.
Fire
and Spice
Fire and Spice: How does the shape and composition of molecules -
like capsaicin- determine flavour? Why does capsaicin burn? Why doesn't
drinking water ease the pain? The General Chemistry Online textbook
gives the answers.
Red
"why are they so hot?" Chili Peppers
Learn about the chemical structure and composition
of capsaicin, the ingredient that makes chili peppers so hot.
