January 7 - Chemistry Overview

     1. How many carbon atoms are there in the molecule shown below? What is the shape of the molecule at the carbons nearest to the oxygen? 

There are 20 carbon atoms and the shape of the carbon atom closest to the oxygen molecule is planer.

2. In the example shown, what would happen to the signal if the channel was stuck in the “open” position? What if the channel were unable to open?

If the channel were stuck open then that signal would constantly be sent to the brain.  That sense then would continually be “on”. If the channel were unable to open then the cell could not communicate to the brain, and the sense would not be turned “on.”

3. A common analogy for the vision system is of a leaky boat which is being bailed out by a bucket. In this analogy, what is the boat? What is the leak? What is the bucket?

Boat = membrance

Leak = channel

      Bucket = pump