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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The 4 Levels of a Protein (Basic info outline)


  1. FOUR LEVELS OF STRUCTURE TO A PROTEIN
    1. Primary
1.      sequence of amino acids
2.      held together by peptide bonds
3.      controls the shape it will fold into
    1. Secondary
1.      repeated folding or coiling
2.      held together by hydrogen bonding
3.      Examples: alpha helices and beta pleated sheets
    1. Tertiary
1.      Overall peptide shape after folding and coiling
2.      hydrogen bongs
3.      3. Disulfide bonds
4.       Van der Walls interactions
    1. Quaternary

1.      Two or more combined peptides
2.      Final functional form
3.      Hydrogen bonding, disulfide bonds, Van de Waal interactions

    2.EACH LEVEL AFFECTS THE NEXT LEVEL OF STRUCTURE TO CREATE A SHAPE
A.     that fits together with other molecules that the protein catalyzes
B.     that carries out other functions such as structural roles
C.     One example of a functional protein is 

“Another example of a functional protein is a protein in egg whites called avidin. This functional protein binds biotin with great specificity and tenacity. Animals fed diets containing large amounts of egg white may become deficient in biotin, even though biotin is added to their diet. Heating (cooking) disrupts the three-dimensional structure of avidin so that it can no longer bind biotin. It’s a good reason not to eat raw eggs!” (1)


DEFINITIONS:
A functional protein: A. has the ability to carry out metabolic processes. B. Proteins that have biological activity can be referred to as “functional proteins.”
amino acid: An organic molecule possessing both carboxyl and amino groups. Amino acids serve as the monomers of polypeptides.


LINKS used:
1.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Some Reliable Online Resources

Starbright World- is a network linking 30,000 seriously ill children in one hundred hospitals and many homes in North America.http://www.starbrightworld.org
The  U.S department of Health and Human Services owns a reliable site called http://www.healthfinder.gov 
A search of Heath-care related schools resources: www.healthschoolssearch.hom.

Medscape- collection of online medical journals http://www.medscape.com

About: Undernutrition, malnutrition


"Animals can synthesize most, but not all, of the fatty acids they need. The essential fatty acids, the ones they cannot make, are certain fatty acids that are unsaturated(containing one or more double bonds). For example, humans require linoleic acid to make some membrane phospholipids. Because seeds, grains, and vegetables in the diets of humans generally furnish ample amounts of essential fatty acids, deficiencies in this class of nutrients are rare."

"When an animal is undernourished, a series of events unfold: The body uses up stored fat and carbohydrates; the body begins breaking down its own proteins for fuel; muscles begin to decrease in size; and the brain may become protein-deficient. If energy intake remains less than energy expenditure, the animal will eventually die. Even if a seriously undernourished animal survives, some of the damage may be irreversible."

About: Cells

"All cells have several basic features in common: They are all bounded by a selective barrier, called the plasma membrane. Enclosed by the membrane is a semi-fluid, jelly-like substance called cytosol, in which organelles and other components are found. All cells contain chromosomes, which carry genes in the form of DNA. And all cells have ribosomes, tiny complexes that make proteins according to the instructions from the genes."

Types of Imaging Used To View Patients : MRI and PET scan

Different types of imaging: X-ray, ultrasound, computerized tomography scan, MRI, SPECT scan, PET,  Bone density tests.

From "Information technology in Radiology"
Lillian Burke Barbara Weill
MRI-Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging machines use computer technology to produce images of soft tissue within the body that cannot be pictured by traditional x-rays. Unlike CT scans, MRI’s can produce images of the insides of bones. Using a technique called  scientific  visualization, MRI machines use computers an d a very strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce pictures. The images are constructed from mathematical data  generated by the interaction of radio waves and the protons inside the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in the water and fatty tissue  in the human body. The MRI machine creates a magnetic field many times stronger than the earths, it then generates radio waves.  The response of the bodies cells is measured by a computer, which then uses this data to create an image. MRI is more accurate than other imaging methods for detecting cancer that has spread to the bone although PET; CT scans find cancer of the lungs more accurately. MRI’s may be used for diagnosis and for the treatment of certain conditions that used to require surgery. For example, using MRI, radiologists can now clean or close off arteries without surgery. MRI’s do not use radiation and are non-invasive. It can distinguish between different types of nerve tissue.
Relatively new, functional MRI’s, measure small metabolic changes in an active part of the brain. MRI identifies brain activity by changes in blood oxygen. 
Positron Emission Tomograpgy -PET
PET scans use radioisotope techmologyto create a picture of the body in action. PET scans use computers to construct images from the emission of positive elections (positrons) by radioactive substances administrated to the patient. PET scans, unlike trad.itional Xrays an d CT scans produce images of how the body works, not just how it looks. PET scans may help detect changes in cell function (disease) before changes in structure can be seen by other imaging techniques. PET scans are used to study Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epolipespy, learning disabilities, moral reasoning, bipolar disorder, and cancer. PE scans are also used to diagnose arterial obstructions. They are accurate and can avoid invasive catheterization. 119 
PET scans can show functioning of the brain by measuring cerebral blood flow. The scans produce a picture of activity, of function. A person is administrated a small amount of radioactive glucose. The area of the brain that is most active uses the glucose more quickly…