Answer this following question.

1. Observe an ice cube.  This is water in a solid form, so it has a high structural order.  This means that the molecules cannot move very much and are in a fixed position.  The temperature of the ice is zero degrees celcius.  As a result, the entropy of the system is low. 

2. Allow the ice to melt at room temperature.  What is the state of molecules in the liquid water now?  How did the energy transfer take place?  Is the entropy of the system higher or lower?  Why?

3. If you were to heat the melted water to its boiling point, what would happen to the entropy of the system?

4. Describe the structure and complementary base pairing of DNA.

5. Explain how single nucleotide changes can have vastly different effects on protein function.

6. In the past 25 years, we have learned a lot about DNA, and are now able to manipulate genes.  Plants are genetically modified to possess desirable traits such as resistance to disease and to grow with less water and fertilizer.  There are even certain Idaho potatoes that all grow to the same size, so McDonald’s french fries are the same length!  Human genes are inserted into bacteria to inexpensively produce drugs that treat diseases.  Soon, non-life threatening cosmetic changes will be available for those who can afford them.Conduct an internet search to find an interesting example of genetic engineering.  Then, summarize what you discovered.  Next, respond to at least one other student’s findings. 

Answer:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.