This article begins a new series about gene technologies. Many gene technologies, especially recombinant DNA technologies, begin with the need to isolate or make DNA fragments. We will look at three different ways that this can be achieved. Restriction enzymes This method allows DNA fragments to be "cut out" of existing DNA. Restriction enzymes, sometimes... Continue Reading →
Digestion – Exchange and Transport Ep 13
So far in the exchange and transport series we have mainly been looking at exchange and transport of gases. However, organisms also need to absorb nutrients such as glucose and amino acids so they can carry out processes like respiration and protein synthesis. In this article we will cover how large food molecules are broken... Continue Reading →
Polysaccharides – Biological Molecules Ep 8
Last article we looked at glucose and disaccharides, which are simple carbohydrates. However, many carbohydrate molecules are made up of long chains of monosaccharides joined together to form polysaccharides. Today we will look at polysaccharides made from glucose. We saw in the last article that to form the disaccharide maltose, two glucose molecules are joined... Continue Reading →
Water – Biological Molecules Ep 6
Water is extremely important to living organisms. Not only is it needed internally, but also externally as part of the environment - some organisms live in it. It is also a reactant in photosynthesis, so contributes to the oxygen in the atmosphere. In short, water is essential for life as we know it. Structure of... Continue Reading →
ATP – Biological Molecules Ep 5
Today we are looking at adenosine triphosphate, often just abbreviated to ATP because as with most scientific terms, it's a bit of a mouthful. This molecule is very important in providing an immediate source of energy for processes in cells. Let's have a closer look at its structure and function. Structure of ATP ATP is... Continue Reading →
