Question

Please explain in about 250 words each

1a) the ability of molecules to self-replicate is an indicator that these molecules are “living entities.” Should self-replication be the only indicator of life? Why or why not?

1b) In some countries, governments are requiring that gasoline contain a certain percentage of ethanol and may also subsidize the production of ethanol for fuel. Discuss the pros and cons of these requirements and subsidies.

1c) Do you support the use of GMOs? Why or why not? Your argument should include the pros and cons of the technologies used to make GMOs?

1d) Explain why and how the components of phospholipids contribute to the formation of lipid bilayers and why carbohydrates have high free energy?

Answer 1

1. a . As we all know Self-replication is made of two tools -one is the storing ability of information and another is increase in entropy which means the disorder in the system caused due to chemical  evolution cannot be reversed back and hence itself is not able to act as a sole indicator of life . Self replication involves gradual ordering wchich includes a number of processes , actions of enzymes to form one molecule and is chemical evolution .The ability to self-replicate is a product of the gradual ordering that we call chemical evolution. From above it is clear that these characteristics can give rise to building blocks that are necessary for life but cannot complete the function of  . All of these characteristics are fine building blocks that are necessary for life, but do not complete the functioning of life . They can be indicators of life .

1. b. Pros -

*Biodegradable - Today most of the scientists are concerned about searching a biodegradable oil to reduce pollution. Ethanol present in gasoline is a best option for this as it is biodegradable . * It has also the benefit of improved energy balance . * it releases very less green house gas during its use . Like other oil options it won't emit greenhouse gases . * it is the best alternative for oil .

Cons -

* it causes a effect on fuel consumption . If we compare it with other fuel options is is not upto that mark . It has a low efficiency and burning of more fuel takes place to reach the destination as compared to other fuels .

* shipping and exportation is very expensive as etanol causes corrosion in pipes and other medium will increse its expenses to very high .

* it doesn't cause green house gas emission but it increases carbon emission upto 20 percent which is harmful and a cause of global warming .

1.c. yes i support the use of GMO because it acts as a reliable option of food . Now a days the crop production are decreasing day by day so we need to find options for other food resources   and the crops made with the help of the technology is resistance to diseases and the productivity is also high .

Pros - * genetic modification of desirable trait - Scientists use desirable traits of organism to form a modified product . * crops are more resistance to disease  and are also tolerant to herbicide * More nutritious -as these production are modified and compared with the existing wild type , theses are modified to be more nutrition  * it enhances flavour * It is less costly and consumer friendly .

Cons -  

* long term effects and safety is unknown -scientists are still doing research on it to know its effect .

* causes allergic reactions -in some people is sometimes causes allergies .

* develops cancer

* affects the immune system of humans

1. D .Each phospholipid molecule consists of an enlarged head in which the phosphate portions is located and of 2 thin tails . The head end is soluble in water and is called hydrophilic . The tail end is insoluble in water and is called hydrophobic . When such molecules are suspended in an aqueous medium ,they arrange themselves so that the hydrophilic ends are in contact with the medium but the hydrophobic ends are not . They do so by forming a bilayer . Membrane proteins help to maintain the structural intigrity of the cell by giving attachment to cytoskeleton filaments . They also help to provide adhesion between cells and extracellular materials . As we all know the breakdown of carbohydrates releases a high amount of energy and is a source of cellular energy .