Characteristics of Water and Carbon Order Instructions: Please read below for information concerning assignment.

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Please provide substantial responses to the following classmate’s posts to Discussion Question #1 & #2

Discussion Question #1: Water and carbon are major components of all life. Describe the characteristics of these materials which make them so important to living things. Be prepared to discuss how life as we know it might be affected by slight changes in the characteristics of water or carbon.

Angela

Water and carbon are major components of all life. Describe the characteristics of these materials which make them so important to living things.

Water has several characteristics which make it important to living things. It is important as it makes up 70-95% of our bodies cells which is pretty darn important to us as living beings. The hydrogen in the water forms bonds and this cohesion of the like makes the surface tension of water very high (Simon, Dickey, Reece, & Hogan, 2016). This is great if you are a spider! Due to these hydrogen bonds, water is also resistant to temperature. Water can absorb and store heat, or it can release a large amount of heat depending upon what is happening to the water and the hydrogen bonds. Water is also less dense when it is in ice form which is why the ice floats. This is important particularly to our bodies of water. The frozen water on top of lakes, rivers, and oceans acts like a blanket insulating the rest of the water. This allows for the life underneath to flourish and thrive. If the ice were to not float the waters would be frozen and only the top portions would thaw out during the spring and summer months. Of course, water has an evaporative cooling process which helps to cool us down when we get too hot (and some other animals as well).

Carbon is necessary for our lives because it can make compounds by forming bonds with other atoms. Carbon has 4 electrons in its outer shell which makes carbon able to form bonds with up to four other atoms, or building blocks if you will. A carbon atom can bond with another carbon atom and those can then form bonds with up to 3 (a total of 6) other atoms. These are the building blocks from which is essential to life.

Thanks,
Angela

Characteristics of Water and Carbon References

Simon, E. J., Dickey, J. L., Reece, J. B., & Hogan, K. A. (2016). Campbell essential biology with physiology fifth edition.Pearson Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/#/books/1323125574/cfi/4!/4/2/2@0:92.5
Woodward, D. (2009, June 11). Carbon and life. Retrieved from Biology 110 – Basic Concepts and Biodiversity: https://wikispaces.psu.edu/display/110Master/Carbon+and+Life#CarbonandLife-Carbon

Camilya

Prokaryotic cells are found in organisms of the domains Bacteria and Archaea, known as prokaryotes. Prokaryotes have a cellular organization fundamentally different from that of eukaryotes, an d lacking structural features. Most prokaryotes have cell walls exterior to their plasma membranes. Prokaryotic cells have three common shapes. Spherical prokaryotic cells are called cocci, Rod-shaped prokaryotes are called bacilli and Spiral-shaped prokaryotes include spirochetes. Although all prokaryotes are unicellular, the cells of some species usually exist as groups of two or more cells. Prokaryotic species are also mobile. Prokaryotic cells are usually much smaller—about one-tenth the length of a typical eukaryotic cell—and are simpler in structure. Fossil evidence shows that prokaryotes were the first life on Earth, appearing more than 3.5 billion years ago.
All cells, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic, have several features in common. They are all bounded by a barrier called a plasma membrane, which regulates the traffic of molecules between the cell and its surroundings. Inside all cells is a thick, jellylike fluid called the cytosol, in which cellular components are suspended. All cells have one or more chromosomes carrying genes made of DNA. And all cells have ribosomes that build proteins according to instructions from the genes. Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells perform similar functions, but prokaryotes cells are much smaller and less complex. The most significant structural difference between the two types of cells is that eukaryotic cells have organelles, membrane-enclosed structures that perform specific functions, and prokaryotic cells do not.
The first eukaryotes did not appear until around 2.1 billion years ago. Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-enclosed nucleus and numerous other membrane-enclosed organelles. Organisms of the domain Eukarya are composed of eukaryotic cells and are called eukaryotes. The most important organelle is the nucleus, which houses most of a eukaryotic cell’s DNA. The nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane. A prokaryotic cell lacks a nucleus; its DNA is coiled into a “nucleus-like” region called the nucleoid, which is not partitioned from the rest of the cell by membranes. The walls within eukaryotic cells are made from membranes that help maintain a unique chemical environment inside each cubicle.

Characteristics of Water and Carbon Reference

Simon, E. J., Dickey, J. L., Reece, J. B., Hogan, K. A. (1–2015). Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, 5th Edition. [South University]. Retrieved from https://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/#/books/1323125574/

Javier

Water and carbon are major components of all life. Describe the characteristics of these materials which make them so important to living things. Be prepared to discuss how life as we know it might be affected by slight changes in the characteristics of water or carbon.
The most important substance to life is water. In chemical terms, water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. It’s interesting to know that 70% of the earth is made up of water and that the human body is also composed of 70% water. Water exhibits properties like surface tension and capillarity; properties that are associated with the possibility of a liquid rising through a tube against the force of gravity. Other properties of water are adhesion and cohesion and boiling and melting temperature, which are temperatures where water changes state. Its level is not the same all over the world but depends on the altitude with respect to sea level.
The above-mentioned properties give water the possibility of fulfilling fundamental functions for life, such as to act as a general solvent for different water-soluble substance involved in many metabolic reactions and to give flexibility and elasticity to the tissues. Additionally, water is necessary for the process of osmosis and diffusion through different types of membranes. Water also participates throughout the digestive process from chewing and is especially important for the normal functioning of the kidneys, which is the purifying organ. Water dilutes the calories of food and helps regulate body temperature.
It’s already known throughout the scientific world that life depends exclusively on the existence of the molecules of carbon. Yet, living organisms are formed primarily of water that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Apart from other elements like carbon, one of the most important criterion that life is based on and that is fundamental is the organizational ability of molecules to join in repetitive structures. An example would be carbon joining to form polymer chains that are key to the replication and the conservation of our DNA.
To form a chain of polymers as the carbon forms, we need the base element to link atoms to both the right and left, thus forming a kind of backbone, having on the sides the ability to bind to more atoms. But because of space, not more than four, and for that, the carbon is perfect because it has four links. In the periodic table, we can find it in the valence zone 4, along with other candidates to form chains, such as silicon, boron or sulfur, but it is known that these chains tend to be more inconsistent than carbon and end up undoing.
A bond between a carbon and another carbon is twice as strong as a bond between two silica, and the bond of carbon with its side chains in the side chain is stronger, which keeps the structure strongly united even in environments with variation of conditions subjected to extreme temperatures, at the same time as it allows other types of chemical reactions that can happen with normality in their secondary reactions, something that with other valence elements 4 does not happen.

Characteristics of Water and Carbon References

Simon, E. J., Dickey, J. L., Hogan, K. A., & Reece, J. E. (2015). Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology. New York, NY: Pearson Education Inc.
http://thelivingcosmos.com/TheNatureofLife/ImportanceOfWaterForLife_12May06.html

Discussion Question #2: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic are the two major categories of cells making up life on earth. Describe the differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. How have the characteristics of each kind of cell put limitations and provided opportunities for the survival and divergence of modern living things? Be prepared to discuss why both types of cells could be considered equally successful as life has evolved over time.

Rodney

The cellular composition comprises two cell structures being prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cells do not consist of an internal nucleus and eukaryotic cells to consist of a nucleus, or internal membrane structure. As in a simple unicellular form, prokaryote structures range from gelatin capsules taken for medicinal purposes, and the cells divide in a binary fission process to form other cells. As such for more of the cells of some species to exist, it is done as groups of two or more cells. Division by binary fission consists of a single cell duplicating its DNA to become two cells, which then becomes 4, 8, and so on. The life span of prokaryotic groups can only go so far because of the metabolic waste produced that eventually pollutes the surrounding environment. On the plus side of this, the metabolic “talents” from prokaryotes make them excellent symbiotic, or ability to live together, partners with animals, plants, and fungi.
Eukaryotic cells are large, complex cell structures that contain a membrane-enclosed nucleus, or control center of a cell. Within this nucleus contain the DNA, nucleic acid that contains information that controls the pattern of growth and development in all organisms, and the nucleolus, or site of ribosome construction.
Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are bound by a barrier called a plasma membrane that regulates the flow of molecules between the cell and its surroundings. Inside the structure is a thick, jelly-type fluid called the cytosol which suspends cellular components. Prokaryotic cells are simpler in structure and less complex between the two, even though they are able to perform similar functions. A notable fact between the two cells is that eukaryotic cells have organelles which are membrane-enclosed structures that perform specific functions, whereas prokaryotic cells do not.

Characteristics of Water and Carbon References

Connie

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic are the two major categories of cells making up life on earth. Describe the differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. How have the characteristics of each kind of cell put limitations and provided opportunities for the survival and divergence of modern living things? Be prepared to discuss why both types of cells could be considered equally successful as life has evolved over time.
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic are made up of cells that surrounded by a cell membrane. The difference between the two is that eukaryote cell contains membrane-bound, organelles, and including a nucleus. Eukaryotic can be single-celled or multi-celled, like plants, humans, fungi and insects. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle. Bacteria are an example of Prokaryotic. Eukaryote cells are bigger with more DNA and more protein. Having a nucleus is the biggest difference because the nucleus holds things together. Prokaryotes DNA is found in a region of the cytoplasm called nucleotide. The prokaryotic cell is organically older than the eukaryotic cell.

Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.coursehero.com/file/p5pjvfa/Eukaryotic-and-Prokaryotic-Cells-2-to-compartmentalize-cellular-functions-That/

Shanae

Prokaryotic cells are the most primitive cells. They do not contain a definite nucleus. The chromatin bodies remain scattered inside the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic are believed to have been evolved from the prokaryotes. The chromatin bodies are enclosed by a nuclear membrane. Eukaryotic cells are larger than the prokaryotes. Eukaryotic cells are more complex than prokaryotes and the DNA is linear and found within a nucleus.

Characteristics of Water and Carbon Sample Answer

Responses

Angela

Discussion Question 1.

Response

Angela wrote a good essay but she is too wordy. She also concentrated more on the ecological importance of water at the expense of the physiological importance. As far as water surface tension is important to a spider and floating ice is important to a fish, we need to appreciate the integral roles played by water in the physiology of these animals.

Camiya

Discussion Question 2

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two major categories of cells making up life on earth. Describe the differences in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. How have the characteristics of each kind of cell put limitations and provided opportunities for the survival and divergence of modern living things? Be prepared to discuss why both types of cells could be considered equally successful, as life has evolved over time.

Characteristics of Water and Carbon Response

Just like Angela, Camiya is too wordy. She wasted valuable space on similarities between the two cell types, which is outside the scope of the question. In addition, she does not explain how prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are different function wise.

Javier

Discussion Question 1

Response

Javier is using too many words to bring out his answers to this question. I would suggest he just state and describe briefly the properties of water as previously described by Lehninger Biochemistry such as high specific heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, the universal solvent, polarity, density, biochemical reaction, cohesion, and adhesion (Nelson & Cox, 2013). It is also not clear how carbon bonding allows us to withstand extreme temperatures as he puts it and yet we can barely survive at 50^oC.

Rodney

Discussion Question 2

Characteristics of Water and Carbon Response

Rodney’s discussion on this question is the best I have read so far. He has explored in detail the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. However, he needs to explain how these differences limit or provide an advantage to each type of the cell.

Connie

Discussion Question 2

Response

Connie did poorly cover the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. She only covers membrane-bound organelles, but there are more differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. For instance, prokaryotic cells lack some organelles found in eukaryotic cells such as endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and lysosomes, cytoskeleton. As a result, prokaryotes lack cell functions performed by some of these organelles such as post-translational protein modification, cytoplasmic movement, endocytosis, and phagocytosis (Berg, Tymoczko, & Stryer, 2012).

Shanae

Discussion Question 2

Response

Just like Connie, Shanae needs to include more points to her response to this question. In addition, she should appreciate that the absence of a nuclear membrane does not make prokaryotes primitive per se but allows them to carry out both transcription and translation simultaneously, while in eukaryotes the two are separate processes (Berg et al., 2012)

Characteristics of Water and Carbon References

Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2012). Biochemistry (7 ed.): W. H. Freeman.

Nelson, D. L., & Cox, M. M. (2013). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (6 ed.): W.H.Freeman.

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