Questions for Monday September 1

1. Chapter 1 begins with a statement about the significance of the
fact that the genomes of some organisms, including humans, have been completely
sequenced. It claims that this knowledge is a "blueprint" for humans, and
that it will lead to great improvements in medicine and health care.
But some biologists feel that, although this knowledge is necessary,
other breakthroughs must occur before a true understanding of the human
(and other organisms) is reached, and before this knowledge can be applied
to medicine. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, how can the sequencing
data be used to improve medicine?  If you disagree, what are some of
the other breakthroughs that must occur?

2. What are the three fundamental domains of organisms?

3. Proteins implement many classes of functions in an organism.  What
are some of these classes?

4. RNA has three distinct roles in a cell. What are they?

5. What are the different types of chemical bonds, and how is each type
characterized?

6. What are some examples of the importance of water in biochemical
reactions?

7. Why does the spontaneous mixing of two gases, as shown in Figure 1.12,
cause an increase in entropy?

8. Why does the chemical reaction of hydrogen and water combining to
form water, as shown in Figure 1.13, cause a decrease in entropy of
the system?

9. How does the Second Law of Thermodynamics explain protein folding,
as illustrated in Figures 1.14 and 1.15?