DISCUSSION 2

"Mitochondria, Water, Molecules, and Cell Structures"

Note: Online students, please respond to one (1) of the following four (4) bulleted options.

• The cell is comprised of very important components including the  mitochondria. Please view this video describing mitochondrial disease  which is found here.  Keep in mind that one of the symptoms of mitochondrial disease is  fatigue (weak and tired). Next discuss two (2) functions of mitochondria  and why you believe each of these functions is important. Then explain  two (2) ways that the inability of mitochondria to perform their proper  function can account for mitochondrial disease symptoms. Justify your  response.
  
  
• Water is essential to life. Briefly discuss three (3) properties of  water then explain what is meant by the structure of water accounting  for each of its properties. Next choose one (1) of the properties of  water below and explain two (2) ways the property can be useful for  living systems. 
  • Cohesion
  • Adhesion
  • High Specific Heat
  • Floating Ice
  • Good Solvent Properties
  • Dissociation of water molecules
    
    
• Are you really what you eat? Many of us have heard the saying, “you  are what you eat”. Please view the quick crash course on carbohydrates,  lipids, and proteins here then  describe the processes needed to distinguish whether a biological  molecule is a carbohydrate, lipid, or protein. Next consider your daily  intake of foods this week and note the various carbohydrates, lipids,  and proteins you ingested. Discuss three (3) ways that your diet relates  to the molecules of life and their function. Justify your response.
  
  
• Consider three (3) structures and functions of a cell then provide a  100 to 250 word explanation based on the following question: “How do  varied membrane composition and the structural features of molecules in  different cells contribute to membrane function?”