During the Undergraduate Research Conference Poster Session, I was taken back by my fellow classmates and their professionalism while presenting their research topics. Both Michael and Marcus did excellent jobs and both should be very proud of themselves for the job they did.
I chose to summarize, Marcus's poster on Primary Tumors and Brain Metastasis because I found the information to be extensive yet well organized. I believe if a passer-by was to read this poster not having any pre-existing knowledge about tumors or metastasis he would walk away having a good handle on what tumors are, their signs and symptoms, how they are diagnosed, and what can be done to treat them. The poster even accomplishes this without being entirely covered in text.
A tumor is an abnormal mass of cells while metastasis is the process by which cancer spreads from the place to distant locations in the body. Not all tumors will undergo metastasis and are referred to as benign. Tumors which do continue to grow and spread to other parts of the body via metastasis are referred to as malignant. Signs of such tumors could include seizure, headaches, anemia, lymphademiopathy, and hemoptysis, much of which depends where the tumor is located.
If you were to notice similar signs a doctor would order lab test such as blood tests for tumor marker, and a complete blood count (CBC). In addition to this he would order urine test for protein cytology. If any of these test were to suggest a tumor was present treatments are available but are not 100% effective.
Marcus used a variety of sources to compile his research; however he relied heavily on peer review journal articles. Some source obtained via pubmed, and other by obtaining the actual journal text.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Three major Themes
I hope you have enjoyed the discussions in my blog to this point, unfortunately this is my last blog entry. That being said we covered a lot of material this semester and if I had to pick 3 themes that wove there way through the material, I would pick:
1) The unique properties of water
2) Oxidation reactions
3) Reduction reactions
The unique properties of water are not only essential to biochemistry, but are essential to all of life. Chapter 2 of the text introduces us to the unique properties of water which included waters ability to act as a solvent, form hydrogen bonds, and act as an acid or base. These concepts were important to learn as they continued to appear throughout the semester.
Hydrogen bonding became a major instrument of the three dimensional structures of proteins. It was also a major theme of general chemistry as well as organic as it was a major predictor of a molecules tendency to react with other molecules.
Oxidation reactions involve the loss of electrons via a reducing agent. These reactions where discussed in chapter 17 of the text in the glycolysis cycle, specifically reaction 6. In this reaction the -CHO group of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is oxidized to a carboxyl group.
Reduction reaction comes hand in hand with oxidation reaction but, reduction reaction involves the gain of electrons. These reactions are happening at the same time as the oxidation reactions and can also be found in rxn 6 of the glycolysis cycle. NAD+ gets reduced to NADH.
Both reaction are key components of general chemistry and are involve in reaction such as the oxidation of copper to copper ion and the reduction of silver.
1) The unique properties of water
2) Oxidation reactions
3) Reduction reactions
The unique properties of water are not only essential to biochemistry, but are essential to all of life. Chapter 2 of the text introduces us to the unique properties of water which included waters ability to act as a solvent, form hydrogen bonds, and act as an acid or base. These concepts were important to learn as they continued to appear throughout the semester.
Hydrogen bonding became a major instrument of the three dimensional structures of proteins. It was also a major theme of general chemistry as well as organic as it was a major predictor of a molecules tendency to react with other molecules.
Oxidation reactions involve the loss of electrons via a reducing agent. These reactions where discussed in chapter 17 of the text in the glycolysis cycle, specifically reaction 6. In this reaction the -CHO group of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is oxidized to a carboxyl group.
Reduction reaction comes hand in hand with oxidation reaction but, reduction reaction involves the gain of electrons. These reactions are happening at the same time as the oxidation reactions and can also be found in rxn 6 of the glycolysis cycle. NAD+ gets reduced to NADH.
Both reaction are key components of general chemistry and are involve in reaction such as the oxidation of copper to copper ion and the reduction of silver.
How would I explain the connection between glucose entering the body and energy created by the body to a friend using my new biochemistry knowledge?
If I was forced to explain the connection of glucose entering the body and energy being created by the body to my friends, I better either have a lot of time, or have a picture to show them. To help simplify this process I may mention the phrase “THROUGH A SERIES OF REACTIONS” often.
To get the ball rolling I would start by explaining that glucose is a carbohydrate in its simplest form called a monosaccharide. From there I would explain that for 1 molecule of glucose we will produce a net gain of approximately 36 ATP molecules each of which can be used by the body when energy is needed. To reach a glucose molecule's potential of 36 ATP the body must use 3 processes. (GlycolysisCitric Acid Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain)
In glycolysis 1 glucose molecule will go through a series of 10 reactions which will produce 4 ATP molecules via substrate level phosphorylation, and 2NADH2 molecules. In this process glucose subsequently gets converted into 2 pyruvate molecules. To accomplish this task the body had to invest 2 ATP molecules to facilitate the reactions.
An addition 2 ATP will be by the cell to shuttle electrons from 2 NADH2 molecules produced in the cytosol.
In the Citric Acid Cycle each pyruvate molecule will go through a series of reactions and become 2 molecules of Acetyl CoA. Together the molecules will produce 6NADH2, 2 FADH, 2 GTP.
Finally in the Electron transport chain we begin to harness our energy. Each of the 10 NADH2 with produce approximately 3 ATP, totaling 30 ATP. Both FADH2’s will produces approximately 2 ATP, totaling 4 ATP.
10 NADH2 x 3 = 30
2 FADH2 x 2 = 4
2 ATP = 2
___________________
36 ATP
To get the ball rolling I would start by explaining that glucose is a carbohydrate in its simplest form called a monosaccharide. From there I would explain that for 1 molecule of glucose we will produce a net gain of approximately 36 ATP molecules each of which can be used by the body when energy is needed. To reach a glucose molecule's potential of 36 ATP the body must use 3 processes. (GlycolysisCitric Acid Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain)
In glycolysis 1 glucose molecule will go through a series of 10 reactions which will produce 4 ATP molecules via substrate level phosphorylation, and 2NADH2 molecules. In this process glucose subsequently gets converted into 2 pyruvate molecules. To accomplish this task the body had to invest 2 ATP molecules to facilitate the reactions.
An addition 2 ATP will be by the cell to shuttle electrons from 2 NADH2 molecules produced in the cytosol.
In the Citric Acid Cycle each pyruvate molecule will go through a series of reactions and become 2 molecules of Acetyl CoA. Together the molecules will produce 6NADH2, 2 FADH, 2 GTP.
Finally in the Electron transport chain we begin to harness our energy. Each of the 10 NADH2 with produce approximately 3 ATP, totaling 30 ATP. Both FADH2’s will produces approximately 2 ATP, totaling 4 ATP.
10 NADH2 x 3 = 30
2 FADH2 x 2 = 4
2 ATP = 2
___________________
36 ATP
What knowlegde have I connected with past knowledge
As the semester continues to progress and discussion shifts from biochemical concepts to biochemical pathways, I find myself drawing many connections with the information I learned in Anatomy and Physiology. Having taken A&P I am finding it easier to retain the information presented in biochemistry because I am able to think about the material in relation to a biological system of the body.In chapter 17 of the text we discussed glycolysis cycle, as it relates to the production of ATP. The glycolysis cycle was also discussed in GENERALITIES while taking Anatomy and Physiology, but at the time I often wondered how I was going to retain all that knowledge. What’s fun about taking A&P is that after studying glycolysis you can talk to friends and sound very intelligent on the topic. Now that I am in biochemistry and a conversation about glycolysis involves ten different reactions, numerous enzymes, and words like isomerization, I am told to get new friends.
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