- Draw a reaction mechanism to show and
explain how hydroxide and water chemically reacts with aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and carboxylic acid derivatives
(whose structures will be given to you).
- Identify hydrolysis reactions.
- Given a pair of similar molecular species,
predict which would be a better leaving group.
- Explain the relationship between reactivity, energy, and
stability of a molecule.
-
Given a protein
structure, identify the main chains atoms, the backbone, the amino acid side
chains, and amide links that connect the individual monomers.
-
Identify hydrogen
bond donors (δ+
Hs) and acceptors (lone pairs on δ-
Os and Ns) on proteins.
-
Describe the
properties of the main chains and side chain amino acids of a protein given
their structure.
-
Describe
substructures within a protein including alpha helices and beta
sheets.
-
Describe how a
protein can be chemically cleaved by water to form individual, separated amino acids.
-
Describe the
structure and properties of double stranded DNA including the backbone,
double helix, bases, base pairs, and major and minor groves.
-
Describe the
differences in structure between DNA and RNA.
-
Describe the flow of
information in the Central Dogma of Biology.
-
Explain the differences between DNA replication, DNA transcription,
and RNA translation.
-
Given a dsDNA structure, and which strand is the template strand,
determine the amino acid sequence of the protein derived from transcription of the DNA
using the genetic code.
-
Define a gene.
-
Predict the probable effect of a mutation in the DNA on the resulting
protein's structure AND function for
mutations that changed buried, surface, and surface-active site amino acids.
- Explain and use images to discuss how gene
transcription is regulated.
- Describe structures involved in regulation
of gene transcription including RNA polymerase, transcription factors, DNA
major grove.
- Describe cell differentiation at the cell
and DNA level. (i.e. describe typical changes in cell
structure/function)
- Describe the process of signal
transduction.
- Given diagrams, explain steps in signal
transduction pathways that activate or inhibit specific cellular activities
such as glycogen breakdown, gene transcription, etc.
- Describe the roles of kinases,
phosphatases, and second messengers in signal transduction pathways.
- Describe the role of Na+/K+
ATPase and ungated K+ channels in establishing transmembrane ion
gradients and membrane potentials in neurons.
- Describe the role of
neurotransmitter-gated and voltage-gated (such as sodium and potassium) channels in nerve firing (action
potential).
- Describe changes in transmembrane
potentials and ion concentrations during an action potential.
- Describe the effects of stimulatory (ex:
Glutamate channels) and inhibitory channels (ex: GABA) in neuron firing.
- Describe the effects of antianxiety agents
(benzodiazepenes like valium) and ethanol on GABA channels, and the effects
of benzodiazapene inhbitors (antagonists) like Ro-15-4513.
- Define tolerance, sensitization and
dependence.
- Describe long term effects on gene
transcription that affect addictive behaviors such as tolerance,
sensitization, and dependence.