Three
important topics that we have covered that I have found connections with in
more than one class are proteins, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Each of these
three topics we covered in multiples ways over the semester and I have found at
least one of these topics in each of the other sciences courses I have taken.
Proteins
are very important biochemical compounds. Each protein consists of one or more
polypeptides (amino acid chain bonded together with peptide bonds) folded to a
specific form to facilitate a function. Proteins are a vital part of processes
in the cells of all organisms. Many proteins act as enzymes and catalyze reactions
in the cell where others have structural or mechanical functions that help
cells maintain their shapes. They are also important in cell signaling, immune
responses, the cell cycle, in animal’s diets and throughout the process of
digestion.
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| Generic Structure of Alpha Amino Acid (Wikipedia) |
Amino acids are the molecular building blocks
of proteins and include an amine group or a carboxylic acid group. Amino acids
can be linked together in many different ways to provide a variety of proteins.
There are nine standard a
mino acids that are essential to humans. This is
because they can’t be created by the human body so they have to be taken in
through food. These nine include Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine,
Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, and Histidine. These amino acids
are important in nutrition. Amino acids are also important in fertilizers and
food technology.
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| Nucleic Acids (Wikipedia) |
Nucleic
acids include DNA and RNA. These biological molecules are essential for life
and together with proteins they make up very important macromolecules. These molecules
function for encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information in all
living things. It is because of nucleic acids that organisms can transfer
genetic information from one generation to the next.
Each of
these three topics was covered in depth in our class allowing us to further
understand their importance in life. They are also found in Biology, Chemistry,
Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, as well as some of the Psychology classes I
have taken in various ways allowing me to gain knowledge of each from different perspectives and on a number of levels.
