For danzs questions
a. DNA is a double stranded molecule twisted into a helix. It is composed of two strands of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consist of a phosphate molecule, a sugar (deoxyribose) and nitrogenous base (either adenine, thymine, guanine or cytosine). Adenine will bond with thymine and guanine bonds with cytosine forming hydrogen bonds between them.
b. The reaction eventually reaches a point of saturation. This occurs when every enzyme is catalysing a reaction with substrates. Once the reaction has reached this point, even if you increase sustrate concentration, the rate of reaction will not increase, as every active site is already bonded to the substrate (catalysing the reaction).
c. The phenotype of an organism is influenced by both genotype and the environment. For example in humans, we inherit a height potential (as part of our genotype). However, whether or not we reach this potential depends on environmental factors. If nutrition is inadequete during the growth perion (childhood, adolesence), an individual will not reach their height potential. The lack of certain mineral will also decrease growth (ie if iodine is insufficient, growth will be stunted resulting in cretinism)
d. i) Virus
ii) Comparing it to bacteria - Viruses are acellular, while bacteria are unicellular eukaryotes; Viruses are smaller than bacteria; Viruses consist of a core of nucleic acid sourrounded by a protein coat, while bacteria have a single circular chromosome, cytoplasm, ribosomes, a cell wall and a cell membrane; Viruses are unable to survive outside of a host cell, while bacteria can; Viruses can be crystallised and bacteria cannot.
iii) When a virus enters the body, macrophages recognise antigens on their protein coat to be non-self, and respond by ingesting and digesting them (phagocytosis). These macrophages then display the viruses antigens on their surfaces. These are recognised by specific helper T cells, which stimulate the production of specific killer T cells, B cells and memory B and T cells. The killer T cells produce proteins that puncture holes in infected cells, killing them, while the B cells differentiate and mature to form plasma cells which produce antibodies specific to the antigens on the virus. These antibodies bind to the antigens, neutralising them. When the infection has been fought off, suppressor T cells halt the immune response, leaving teh memory B and T cells in the blood, so if the same virus enters the body again (displaying the same antigens) an immediate immune response can occur before symptoms develop.
e. i) I thought it was xylem???
ii) Water, dissolved mineral ions (ie phosphate, magenesium etc)
iii) Transpiration pull - As one molecule of water is lost by transpiration through the stomata on the leaves, a molecule of water moves from the xylem to the airspaces to take its place. As this happens, one molecule is drawn up the xylem to take its place due to cohesion. This causes transpiration pull in the xylem. Water also moves due to capillarity (water rising in narrow tubes due to adhesion and cohesion) and root pressure (the pressure of incoming water pushing water already in the xylem upward).