bio and comp 120

Chapter 5 Worksheet (out of 36pts)

Name__________________________

1. Fill out Table (5pts)

2. What are two common chemical groups found in sugars (2pts)?

3. Look at the images A and B below. Which image depicts a ketose? Which image depicts an aldose? Describe the difference between the two. (2pts)

B.

A.

4. Research the function of the hormone insulin. Describe the relationship between it and the storage polysaccharide glycogen. What might happen if our bodies did not secret insulin? (2pts)

5. Why is eating greens that contain high amounts of cellulose (like celery) good for digestion? (2pts)

6. Why can most animals digest starch, but not cellulose? (2pts)

7. Why are fatty acids acidic? (2pts)

8. The presence of a double bond in the fatty acid tails of a fat makes a difference in its shape. Describe the difference between unsaturated and saturated fats. (2pts)

9. Why are the heads of phospholipids hydrophilic? Why are the tails hydrophobic? Use this image to help you explain your answer (2pts)

10. What characteristics do all steroids (like cholesterol) have in common? What components make them different? (2pts)

11. Complete this table about the levels of protein structure. Some answers have been provided for you. (3pts)

12. Why is it so important that proteins are modified so that they have a specific shape? How might denaturation affect this aspect of proteins? (2pts)

13. Before DNA becomes a protein, it is first transcribed into ____________________. This process takes place in the ________________________ of the cell. (2pts)

14. Here is an image of a single strand of DNA. Label the two parts that are indicated. (4pts)

a.

b. Now describe the components of each of the parts that you labeled in the previous image.

15. Create the complementary strand of RNA for this sequence of DNA. Don’t forget to include 5’ and 3’ on the correct ends. (2pts)

5’ ATCGATTCGG 3’

2

Surname 2

Tiffany Carroll

COM-120

9 September 2026

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdSp3mrUTAI

In the video "Travel to Costa Rica & Experience Pura Vida" (full clip from 0:00 to 5:33), presented by National Geographic, viewers are able to observe authentic and respectful communication and worldviews in Costa Rica. The video features Nat Geo Explorer Dr. Christine Wilkinson and photographer Ruben Salgado Escudero during the green season in Costa Rica. Pura Vida is the main topic of the film, as it is the greeting, way to express thanks, farewell, and philosophy of the residents of Costa Rica. The audience is able to see the locals exchange warm smiles and conversations in the Turrialba Market, drinking coffee and enjoying each other’s company, meeting Indigenous people respectfully, walking in the mangrove forest, etc. All these scenes illustrate authentic relations between Costa Ricans and their guests, which is why the short video can be used as a reliable classroom source.

The three concepts presented in the textbook help us understand the communication behaviors that we see on screen and why this particular video can help us become more respectful when communicating with people with different world views. First, Costa Rica is a high context society (Chapter 6, Section 3). In high context societies, meaning comes not through words that are used explicitly but through common understanding, tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures and the social environment that surrounds the communication. In this case, the multi-faceted use of pura vida is in itself an invitation to relationship rather than a verbal code – all one needs is a smile and saying the words and the situation would determine whether it would be a greeting, an expression of gratitude or a goodbye.

Secondly, the consistent portrayal of solidarity, familial atmosphere, and group orientation in the video demonstrates collectivism (Chapter 6, Section 3). Collectivist societies give preference to relational harmony and cooperation over individual efficiency or achievement. The locals spend more time talking to one another, welcome tourists as transient members of a greater community, and are aware of helping one another and the environment. Such scenes of shared experiences both at the market and in the natural surroundings contrast with more individualistic forms of communication which place importance on directness and accomplishment first of all.

Thirdly, the friendly and welcoming behavior of the Costa Ricans reflects the face-saving techniques described by the face-negotiation theory (Chapter 6, Section 3). Face-negotiation theory is aimed at explaining how all cultures have people who try to save their face and preserve it in every interaction which could be embarrassing for both parties. In the video, the interactants make the exchange pleasant and positive so that "everyone quedará bien." Smiling, open body language, and the concept of pura vida can be considered the facework in daily life.

Observing such patterns enables me to realize that my communication style, which is rather direct and low context, is not universally applicable and better than others. With knowledge of high context awareness, collectivist values, and face saving, I am able to communicate with Costa Rican counterparts being more patient, more smiley, slower and giving priority to the relations rather than speed or efficiency. Such careful approach will prevent any ethnocentrism, the judgment of another culture based on the norms of your own. In this way, the video helps me not only to learn about different communication styles but also become a better communicator when I deal with people who have a different worldview.

Works Cited

National Geographic. “Travel to Costa Rica & Experience Pura Vida.” YouTube, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdSp3mrUTAI.

Wrench, Jason S., Natalie M. Punyanunt-Carter, and Katherine S. Thweatt. Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships. Milne Open Textbooks, 2020, https://irl.umsl.edu/oer/32.

Chapter 5 Worksheet (out of 36pts)

Name__________________________

1. Fill out Table (5pts)

2. What are two common chemical groups found in sugars (2pts)?

3. Look at the images A and B below. Which image depicts a ketose? Which image depicts an aldose? Describe the difference between the two. (2pts)

B.

A.

4. Research the function of the hormone insulin. Describe the relationship between it and the storage polysaccharide glycogen. What might happen if our bodies did not secret insulin? (2pts)

5. Why is eating greens that contain high amounts of cellulose (like celery) good for digestion? (2pts)

6. Why can most animals digest starch, but not cellulose? (2pts)

7. Why are fatty acids acidic? (2pts)

8. The presence of a double bond in the fatty acid tails of a fat makes a difference in its shape. Describe the difference between unsaturated and saturated fats. (2pts)

9. Why are the heads of phospholipids hydrophilic? Why are the tails hydrophobic? Use this image to help you explain your answer (2pts)

10. What characteristics do all steroids (like cholesterol) have in common? What components make them different? (2pts)

11. Complete this table about the levels of protein structure. Some answers have been provided for you. (3pts)

12. Why is it so important that proteins are modified so that they have a specific shape? How might denaturation affect this aspect of proteins? (2pts)

13. Before DNA becomes a protein, it is first transcribed into ____________________. This process takes place in the ________________________ of the cell. (2pts)

14. Here is an image of a single strand of DNA. Label the two parts that are indicated. (4pts)

a.

b. Now describe the components of each of the parts that you labeled in the previous image.

15. Create the complementary strand of RNA for this sequence of DNA. Don’t forget to include 5’ and 3’ on the correct ends. (2pts)

5’ ATCGATTCGG 3’

2