Answer the following questions completely and thoroughly while citing as needed. Just list websites at end of page to cite
– Why does water have a polar covalent bond between the oxygen and two hydrogens? Why is this important to the physical properties of water (e.g., heat retention, solubility, etc.). Explain how water striders (true bugs!) can glide along the surface of the water without breaking the water tension (online research will reveal some very interesting information). Why does a preemie baby have issues with breathing air directly when you don’t? (also interesting online research!)
-How does potential energy differ from kinetic energy (give examples!). What are the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics? How do they affect your physiological reactions? Why are metabolic pathways controlled by multiple enzymes (why not just a single enzyme?). Enzymes are often affected by large changes in pH or temperature, which can lead to denaturation. What is meant by enzyme denaturation? Can enzymes sometimes be renatured? What would have to happen if this could take place?
-Describe in some detail the four stages of cellular respiration (glycolysis, “intermediate stage”, citric acid cycle, electron transport system). How many ATP are produced in each stage? For each sugar undergoing complete oxidation, how many ATP are produced by Glycolysis? In the Intermediate stage? In the citric acid cycle? In the electron transport chain? What’s the total after complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose? What stage of cellular respiration is the “best” at producing the most ATP? Now, do some online research and find out if there is some controversy on how many ATP are actually produced by the oxidation of one molecule of glucose.
-Compare and contrast light microscopy with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. How do photons work in light microscopy? How do electrons work with transmission and scanning electron microscopy? What are the uses of light microscopy? What are the uses of electron microscopy? How are specimens prepared for electron microscopy (internet research here)? Which microscope would you use to observe living cells? Which microscope would you use to see great external detail? Great internal detail?
– What are neurons and glial cells? How do they fit into the nervous system? Identify the most common glial cells and their functions. Are there any amoeba-like glial cells in the brain, and if so, what do they do? What is the ratio of neurons to glial cells in the brain? (internet research).
-List the most significant strata of the epidermis (e.g., stratum corneum, stratum basale, etc.) and give their functions. If the skin is the largest organ in the body, hypothesize why it is so complex.
-Why do humans have as many hair follicles as a bonobo or chimpanzee? Are there any people whose faces are covered with hair like a bonobo? (internet research here).
– Hair buds are epidermal in origin but during their development they sink into the dermis, forming a follicle—just like the development of scales in reptiles and feathers in birds. All of these structures are made of keratin. Why should this be so and why should they form in exactly the same way? What are the functions of mammalian hair?
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