EL's+Logbook+Week+of+Oct+29


 * 10/29/07**
 * ===Information=== ||
 * ===What I did & Opinion=== ||
 * 1. Went to Notre Dame on the 10th period.
 * ===What I did & Opinion=== ||
 * 1. Went to Notre Dame on the 10th period.
 * 1. Went to Notre Dame on the 10th period.

2. It was my BIRTHDAY !!!!! Yay~ ||


 * 10/31/07**
 * ===Information=== ||
 * === === ==The Chemistry of Amino Acids== http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/aa.htmlAmino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. [[image:http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/Graphics/tertiary.gif width="150" height="190" align="left" caption="Tertiary Structure of a protein"]]The precise amino acid content, and the sequence of those amino acids, of a specific protein, is determined by the sequence of the bases in the gene that encodes that protein. The chemical properties of the amino acids of proteins determine the biological activity of the protein. Proteins not only catalyze all (or most) of the reactions in living cells, they control virtually all cellular process. In addition, proteins contain within their amino acid sequences the necessary information to determine how that protein will fold into a three dimensional structure, and the stability of the resulting structure. The field of protein folding and stability has been a critically important area of research for years, and remains today one of the great unsolved mysteries. It is, however, being actively investigated, and progress is being made every day.As we learn about amino acids, it is important to keep in mind that one of the more important reasons to understand amino acid structure and properties is to be able to understand protein structure and properties. We will see that the vastly complex characteristics of even a small, relatively simple, protein are a composite of the properties of the amino acids which comprise the protein. [|?]
 * === === ==The Chemistry of Amino Acids== http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/aa.htmlAmino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. [[image:http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/Graphics/tertiary.gif width="150" height="190" align="left" caption="Tertiary Structure of a protein"]]The precise amino acid content, and the sequence of those amino acids, of a specific protein, is determined by the sequence of the bases in the gene that encodes that protein. The chemical properties of the amino acids of proteins determine the biological activity of the protein. Proteins not only catalyze all (or most) of the reactions in living cells, they control virtually all cellular process. In addition, proteins contain within their amino acid sequences the necessary information to determine how that protein will fold into a three dimensional structure, and the stability of the resulting structure. The field of protein folding and stability has been a critically important area of research for years, and remains today one of the great unsolved mysteries. It is, however, being actively investigated, and progress is being made every day.As we learn about amino acids, it is important to keep in mind that one of the more important reasons to understand amino acid structure and properties is to be able to understand protein structure and properties. We will see that the vastly complex characteristics of even a small, relatively simple, protein are a composite of the properties of the amino acids which comprise the protein. [|?]

Humans can produce 10 of the 20 amino acids. The others must be supplied in the food. Failure to obtain enough of even 1 of the 10 essential amino acids, those that we cannot make, results in degradation of the body's proteins—muscle and so forth—to obtain the one amino acid that is needed. Unlike fat and starch, the human body does not store excess amino acids for later use—the amino acids must be in the food every day. The 10 amino acids that we can produce are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine. Tyrosine is produced from phenylalanine, so if the diet is deficient in phenylalanine, tyrosine will be required as well. The essential amino acids are arginine (required for the young, but not for adults), histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids are required in the diet. Plants, of course, must be able to make all the amino acids. Humans, on the other hand, do not have all the the enzymes required for the biosynthesis of all of the amino acids. **Why learn these structures and properties**? It is critical that all students of the life sciences know well the structure and chemistry of the amino acids and other building blocks of biological molecules. Otherwise, it is impossible to think or talk sensibly about proteins and enzymes, or the nucleic acids.
 * Essential amino acids**

**
 * Atoms in Amino Acids

Acidic Amino Acids and their Amides
**Acidic amino acids** are polar and negatively charged at physiological pH. Both acidic amino acids have a second carboxyl group.**Amides** are **polar** and **uncharged**, and not ionizable. All are very hydrophilic. http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/Acidic.html ||
 * ===What I did & Opinion=== ||
 * 1. Detailed the amino acid information
 * 1. Detailed the amino acid information
 * 1. Detailed the amino acid information

2. Reviewed Basic structure of protein (especially tertiary structure)

3. Had a lab at Notre Dame ||

The cell is one of the most basic units of life. There are millions of different types of cells. There are cells that are organisms onto themselves, such as microscopic amoeba and bacteria cells. And there are cells that only function when part of a larger organism, such as the cells that make up your body. The cell is the smallest unit of life in our bodies. In the body, there are brain cells, skin cells, liver cells, stomach cells, and the list goes on. All of these cells have unique functions and features. And all have some recognizable similarities. All cells have a 'skin', called the **plasma membrane**, protecting it from the outside environment. The cell membrane regulates the movement of water, nutrients and wastes into and out of the cell. Inside of the cell membrane are the working parts of the cell. At the center of the cell is the cell **nucleus**. The cell nucleus contains the cell's DNA, the genetic code that coordinates protein synthesis. In addition to the nucleus, there are many **organelles** inside of the cell - small structures that help carry out the day-to-day operations of the cell. One important cellular organelle is the **ribosome**. Ribosomes participate in protein synthesis. The transcription phase of protein synthesis takes places in the cell nucleus. After this step is complete, the mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the cell's ribosomes, where translation occurs. Another important cellular organelle is the **mitochondrion**. Mitochondria (many mitochondrion) are often referred to as the power plants of the cell because many of the reactions that produce energy take place in mitochondria. Also important in the life of a cell are the **lysosomes**. Lysosomes are organelles that contain enzymes that aid in the digestion of nutrient molecules and other materials. Below is a labelled diagram of a cell to help you identify some of these structures. ||
 * 11/01/07**
 * ===Information=== ||
 * [[image:http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif width="600" height="500"]][[image:http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/movingamoeba.gif width="90" height="120"]]
 * [[image:http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif width="600" height="500"]][[image:http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/movingamoeba.gif width="90" height="120"]]
 * ===What I did & Opinion=== ||
 * 1. Learned the structure of the cell ||
 * 1. Learned the structure of the cell ||