QUESTIONS RELATED TO SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE JUNE 2013 (Q7 UNIT.

5)
How Science Works Validity, reliability, peer review and how findings are presented to the scientific community How Science Works, Point 7 Explain how scientific theories are developed, refined, supported or refuted as new data or new interpretations of data become available. How Science Works, Point 11 a) Discuss the importance of critical evaluation of new data or new interpretations of data which challenge established scientific theories or propose new theories. b) Describe how the process of communication through journals and conferences, and peer review contribute to validation of new scientific theories by the scientific community Example Questions 1. Paragraph 7: "In general, lifespan tends to correlate with body size". Another study concluded that a larger body size caused a longer lifespan. Explain why this may not be a valid conclusion. Answers 1. Correlation does not necessarily mean causation. 2. In general - if size caused the lifespan to change, then the statement would always be true. 3. Not enough data may have been collected to prove that the correlation is causation.

2. Suggest how the conclusions of the investigations conducted could be accepted by the scientific community. Answers 1. Publish results in scientific journals 2. Present results at conferences 3. Peer review 4. Any explanation for peer review (e.g. scientists in the same field conduct the experiment to check its validity whether the results are similar). Testing on animals - risks and benefits How Science Works, Point 9 Evaluate activities in terms of their associated benefits and risks to humans, other organisms and the environment. Example Questions 1. Paragraph 53: "With naked mole-rats, we have to start from scratch with many things". What are the advantages and disadvantages of using mole-rats (use your own knowledge, the article and the sentence above)? Answers 1. It can impact the development of new treatments, theories etc. and therefore impact the rate of helping other humans. 2. It is expensive and time-consuming to sequence the genome of the mole-rat. 3. The mole-rats may be more useful in terms of physiology and behaviour than mice. 4. Mole-rats are animals with a nervous system, so may be more unethical to test with (as with mice). 5. Mole-rats live for a relatively long time, so can be studied in the long-term too. 6. The behaviour of mole-rats may differ ex-situ (e.g. the Queen not being present can change behaviour); the living conditions cannot be recreated.
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Unit 1: Paragraph 2 - The mole rats can help tackle strokes Paragraph 7 - They don't show signs of heart disease Paragraph 36 - Findings can give treatment for heart attacks and strokes Topic 1, Points 10-15 1.Describe the blood clotting process (thromboplastin release, conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and fibrinogen to fibrin) and its role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) 2.Explain the course of events that leads to atherosclerosis (endothelial damage, inflammatory response, plaque formation, raised blood pressure). 3.Describe the factors that increase the risk of CVD (genetic, diet, age, gender, high blood pressure, smoking and inactivity). 4.Describe the benefits and risks of treatments for CVD (antihypertensives, plant statins, anticoagulants and platelet inhibitory drugs). 5.Analyse and interpret data on the possible significance for health of blood cholesterol levels and levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). 6.Describe the evidence for a causal relationship between blood cholesterol levels (total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) and CVD. 7.Discuss how people use scientific knowledge about the effects of diet (including obesity indicators), exercise and smoking to reduce their risk of coronary heart disease. Example Questions 1. Using a named factor that can cause cardiovascular disease, explain how a stroke can arise. 2. Name and explain two current treatments for cardiovascular disease. 3. Describe two ways in which coronary heart disease can be prevented. Paragraph 38 - Hypoxia adaptations in the lungs (gas exchange surface) Paragraph 9 - DNA and proteins - attachment of other molecules Paragraph 11 - 3D shape of proteins and importance (misfolding proteins can relate to CF [CFTR protein] too) Paragraph 15 - DNA replication (cancer mentioned throughout [e.g. paragraph 20] - a mutation can cause cancer; how does this arise?)

Topic 2, Points 6-15 (Excluding some) 1. Describe the properties of gas exchange surfaces in living organisms (large surface area to volume ratio, thickness of surface, difference in concentration) and explain how the structure of the mammalian lung is adapted for rapid gaseous exchange. 2. Describe the basic structure of an amino acid (structures of specific amino acids are not required) and the formation of polypeptides and proteins (as amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds in condensation reactions) and explain the significance of a proteins primary structure in determining its three-dimensional structure and properties (globular and fibrous proteins and types of bonds involved in three-dimensional structure). 3. Explain the mechanism of action and specificity of enzymes in terms of their three-dimensional structure and explain that enzymes are biological catalysts that reduce activation energy, catalysing a wide range of intracellular and extracellular reactions. 4. Describe the basic structure of mononucleotides (as a deoxyribose or ribose linked to a phosphate and a base, ie thymine, uracil, cytosine, adenine or guanine) and the structures of DNA and RNA (as polynucleotides composed of mononucleotides linked through condensation reactions) and describe how complementary base pairing and the hydrogen bonding between two complementary strands are involved in the formation of the DNA double helix.

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Unit 5 / Scientific Article supplement June 2013

5. Describe DNA replication (including the role of DNA polymerase), and explain how Meselson and Stahls classic experiment provided new data that supported the accepted theory of replication of DNA and refuted competing theories 6. Describe a gene as being a sequence of bases on a DNA molecule coding for a sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. 7. Outline the process of protein synthesis, including the role of transcription, translation, messenger RNA, transfer RNA and the template (antisense) DNA strand 8. Explain how errors in DNA replication can give rise to mutations and explain how cystic fibrosis results from one of a number of possible gene mutations. Example Questions 1. Why is the 3D structure of proteins critical to functioning? Paragraph 1 Ethics of animal testing: utilitarian approach to animal testing- working for greater good. Paragraph 3 Adaptations of naked mole rat to environment: Large teeth to burrow with underground No fur as they live in hot conditions therefore not required Due to dark underground conditions they are dependent on their heightened sense of smell, whiskers used as pressure points Paragraph 4 Part of eusocial society where queen bee is only actively reproducing female and only a hand full of actively reproducing males. Everyone else is infertile. This constant in breeding results in reduction of genetic variation (which reduces chances of speciation) Possible question may be 'how is genetic variation obtained?' -independent assortment, -crossing over -random fertilisation what are disadvantages of having no genetic variation? Paragraph 5 Comparing homeotherms (like humans-we regulate our body temperature) to poikilotherms-those whose body temperature is dependent on environmental temperature. There may be a question with regards to homeostasis in humans and regulating body temp? Paragraph 6 ...notice how they constantly put name of specialist, area they specialise in and the institution they work at-highlights credibility of sources So question may be on how scientists ensure results produced etc are ensured to be reliable and valid Paragraph 13 - on tumour suppressor protein..? Might be relevant, Its from unit 2

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Unit 5 / Scientific Article supplement June 2013

Testing on animals - risks and benefits Example Questions 1. Paragraph 53: "With naked mole-rats, we have to start from scratch with many things". What are the advantages and disadvantages of using mole-rats (use your own knowledge, the article and the sentence above)? Answers 1. It can impact the development of new treatments, theories etc. and therefore impact the rate of helping other humans. 2. It is expensive and time-consuming to sequence the genome of the mole-rat. 3. The mole-rats may be more useful in terms of physiology and behaviour than mice. 4. Mole-rats are animals with a nervous system, so may be more unethical to test with (as with mice). 5. Mole-rats live for a relatively long time, so can be studied in the long-term too. 6. The behaviour of mole-rats may differ ex-situ (e.g. the Queen not being present can change behaviour); the living conditions cannot be recreated. Unit 1: Paragraph 2 - The mole rats can help tackle strokes Paragraph 7 - They don't show signs of heart disease Paragraph 36 - Findings can give treatment for heart attacks and strokes Example Questions 1. Using a named factor that can cause cardiovascular disease, explain how a stroke can arise. 2. Name and explain two current treatments for cardiovascular disease. 3. Describe two ways in which coronary heart disease can be prevented. Paragraph 38 - Hypoxia adaptations in the lungs (gas exchange surface) Paragraph 9 - DNA and proteins - attachment of other molecules Paragraph 11 - 3D shape of proteins and importance (misfolding proteins can relate to CF [CFTR protein] too) Paragraph 15 - DNA replication (cancer mentioned throughout [e.g. paragraph 20] - a mutation can cause cancer; how does this arise?)

"Many features of the skin of the naked mole-rat, such as the lack of an insulating layer and the loosely folded morphological arrangement contribute to poikilothermic responses to changing temperatures of this mammal. Further evidence for poikilothermy in the naked mole-rat is indicated by the presence of pigment containing cells in the dermis, rather than the epidermis, as commonly occurs in homeotherms. Lack of fur is compensated by a thicker epidermal layer and a marked reduction in sweat glands."

Namely: 1. Why does the lack of insulating layer and the folded morph CONTRIBUTE to poikilothermic response. 2. Why is the presence of pigment in the dermis EVIDENCE for poikilothermy? I don't really understand that at all. Why would a pigment being lower down prove it is an ectotherm? 3. Lack of fur is compensated by a thicker epidermal layer and a marked reduction in sweat glands. This seems to be more straightforward - they don't want to get too cold without fur, so they have thick skin and sweat less. But that doesn't seem to explain much about them being poikilothermic / ectotherms. Answers 1. Lack of insulating layer means that their body temperature is more likely to be dependent on the surroundings.
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2. The purpose of the pigment in the dermis is to either absorb heat or reflect (dependent on what type of habitat they live in). So that shows that their body temperature is controlled by the temp in their surroundings. In humans we have the pigment in the epidermis for purposes of protection from uv light rather than as a method of retaining or reflecting heat.

Extra Information- Useful to understand the article An error in protein conformation can lead to disease. What are the genetic and molecular causes for incorrectly formed proteins?
Current advances in medicine and technology are making our lives longer. Sadly, as our life expectancy increases, the chances of getting a degenerative disease like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or diabetes also increases. Why is this? As incredible as it might sound, these diseases are caused not by bacteria or viruses but rather by something conceptually quite simple: incorrect protein folding. Introductory biology courses teach us that proteins are essential for the organism because they participate in virtually every process within the cell. Therefore, if their function is impaired, the consequences can be devastating. As we age, mutations and thermodynamics (as well as some external factors) conspire against us, resulting in the misfolding of proteins. How does this happen? What are the genetic and molecular causes for incorrect folding of proteins, and what is their relationship to aging?

Check for this website for further details on protein structure and function. http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/protein-misfolding-and-degenerative-diseases-14434929 Check for this website for further details on aging. http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/aging-and-cell-division-14230076
Terms to Research: Eusocial Society Poikilothermic Homeotherm Oxidative Stress Contact Inhibition Monomorphic Leuteinizing Hormone Systemic Hypoxia

Few questions on scientific article....

1. Why naked mole rats are considered as the strangest looking mammals on the planet? (para 2) 2. What do naked mole rats have in common to ants and bees? (para 4) 3. Describe the features of naked mole rats that suggest that they are poikilothermic even though they are mammals? (para 5) 4. Describe the eusocial society in naked mole rats? (para 4) 5. Explain the morphology of naked mole rats? (para 2 & 3) 6. Explain the theory of oxidative stress of how the ageing process works? (para 9) 7. How does the free radical oxidative stress affect the different systems in a mammals body? (para 9) 8. Describe the features of naked mole rats which make them distinctive when they are old? (para 7) 9. Why oxidative damage in naked mole rats had no obvious impact on their well being? (para 11) 10. Describe the three dimensional structure of a protein molecule? (para 11) 11. According to Buffenstein, why is protein stability important? (para 11)
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12. What is meant by immune-compromised mice? (para 13) 13. What is meant by contact inhibition?(para 15) 14. Explain the reason why the mole rats are cancer free?(para 15) 15. Explain the role of telomeres in chromosomes? (para 19) 16. Describe the role of telomerase enzyme in cells? (para 19) 17. What happen to a cell if the enzyme telomerase is activated? (para 19) 18. How does a cell become old (mortal) by the activity of telomerase enzyme? (para 19) 19. Describe the primary reason why the mole rats are staying cancer free? (para 24 ) 20. Differentiate the cell replication in mole rat cells in the lab with that of human cells? (para 25) 21. Describe the double barrier mechanism in mole rat cells that prevent uncontrolled cell division leading to cancer? (para 27) 22. Explain the two-tiered contact inhibition in mole rats that prevent tumours in them? (para 28) 23. Explain the role of p27 gene and p16 gene in mole rats? (para 27) 24. What is meant by capsaicin? (para 31) 25. Explain why would naked mole rats lack chemical pain? (page 32) 26. Chemical receptors are absent in naked mole rats. How does this feature help the human beings in the medical industry? (page 32) 27. Define the term hypoxia? (para 35) 28. What special feature is present in mole rats from fetus to adult unlike other mammals? (para 41) 29. Explain the steps involved in the process of stroke and heart attack and how it causes oxygen deprivation in the brain? (para 36) 30. Explain the role of nucleus accumbens in a mammals brain? (para 45) 31. What is autism and how it is caused in human beings? (para 45) 32. What is meant by osteoporosis? (page 46) 33. Explain the role of animal testing of new drugs what additional test are needed prior to drug presriptions by GPs? 34. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a eusocial society 35. Is homeothermy better than poikilothermy? Discuss .Why are scientists keen to understand this Methuselah? ( para 8) 36. Explain why mouse protein misfolding can affect the ageing process ? (para 11) 37.Explain how cancer causing genes can cause cancer in humans (para 13) 38. What is inhibition and how might it occur ? (para 15) 39. Describe the process that would occur to validate the findings of Vera Gorbunova (para 16 ) 40. What does telomerase do ? (para 19) 41. Explain how the early warning gene can be expressed in cells? (Para 24) 42. Suggest how p16 might stop cancer cells 43. Explain how injecting lemon juice into the paw of a mouse is perceived as pain and results in licking of the paw? (para 31) 44. Suggest how current pain killers work . 45. Suggest how the lack of chemical receptors in mole rats may have developed (para 31) 46. Suggest an adaptation in the blood of mole rats that may be present to cope with low O2 levels in the burrows (para 34) 47. Suggest what adaptations may be present in mole rats to cope with systemic hypoxia (para 38) 48.What roles does oxytocin play in human life ? 49. Describe how you would carry out a study into the effect of light periods on sleep patterns in mole rats ( para 46 ) 50. Suggest how the presence of a queen could reduce the production of testosterone in males nearby (para 48) 51. Suggest an advanatage of a dispersive morph (para 50)

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Unit 5 / Scientific Article supplement June 2013