Background Carbon dioxide moves across the plasma membrane by simple diffusion, meaning it travels from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without requiring energy or transport proteins. Question What primarily determines the rate at which carbon dioxide enters the cell?
Read DetailsBackground Sulfa drugs are a type of antibiotic that interfere with how bacteria make the building blocks of their DNA. These Sulfa antibiotics work by targeting a bacterial enzyme that is essential for the bacteria’s survival. These antibiotics mimic a normal substrate the bacteria needs; they bind to the enzyme’s active site and block the real substrate from entering. As a result, the bacteria cannot produce nucleotides, which are necessary for their reproduction and survival. Question Identify the name of this ‘bacteria-building blocking’ process and describe the specific mechanism by which these drugs prevent bacterial growth. Then, explain how these antibiotic drugs function at the molecular level.
Read DetailsScenario You have an artificial cell with a selectively permeable membrane that allows water to pass through but not sugar. Inside the cell: 1% sugar solution Outside the cell: 2% sugar solution Question How do these concentrations immediately effect the movement of water, and why? Be specific about the direction of water flow and the reasoning behind it.
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