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The electrons passed through Electrons from photolysis of water replace In the thylakoid space, an
the electron transport chain those emitted by the chlorophyll molecule enzyme catalyses the photolysis
combine with H+ and the (so it is no longer positively charged). of water into H+ , electrons and
coenzyme NADP to make Photolysis raises H+ concentration in the O2 (waste product.)
reduced NADP. thylakoid space.
Light- independent reactions (The Calvin Cycle) (in the stroma) [Produces GALP]
CO2 combines with (5C) RuBP This forms an unstable (6C) GP is reduced using the ATP and
(Ribulose Biphosphate). This compound which immediately reduced NADP from L-dependant
reaction is catalysed by the breaks down into two (3C) reactions, regenerating coenzyme NADP.
enzyme RUBISCO (Ribulose compounds called GP (Glycerate 3- This produces (3C) GALP
Biphosphate Carboxylase.) phosphate.) (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.)
10/12 GALP used to regenerate RuBP to continue the Calvin 2/12 GALP used to synthesise a (6C) sugar-
cycle. The 10 GALP rearrange to form 6 (5C) compounds which this is used to make biological molecules e.g.
are phosphorylated using ATP to form RuBP. amino acids, lipids, nucleic acids &
polysaccharides.
ESTIMATING TIME OF DEATH
Body temperature Rigor mortis
Human core body temperature is around 37oc. After death muscles totally relax, then stiffen.
Immediately after death, the temperature starts to fall- -After death, the body is starved of oxygen so oxygen-dependant
in the absence of heat-producing chemical reactions. reactions stop.
Core temperature is measured via the rectum or using -Respiration is now anaerobic which produces lactate.
an abdominal slab. -Lactic acid decreases the pH of cells which inhibits enzymes so
anaerobic respiration stops.
Factors that affect post-mortem cooling -The ATP required for muscle contraction is not available- this
-Body size -Body position causes bonds between muscle proteins to become fixed.
-Clothing -Movement of air -The proteins can no longer move over one another to shorten
-Humidity -Temperature the muscle- fixing muscles and joints.
-Whether the corpse was immersed in water -Rigor mortis eventually passes off as muscle tissue starts to
break down, in the order in which it was formed.
Stages of succession
The population of organisms on a corpse changes over
Signs of decomposition
time as the body decays. There is a succession of
Putrefaction- Greenish colouration of the lower abdomen as a
species. The community of species found on the body
result of a formation on sulphaemglobin. Gas or liquid blisters
can give an estimate of T.O.D. by allowing the stage of
appear on skin.
succession to be determined.
Forensic entomology – The stage of development of any insect on the corpse, though it’s lifecycle can help work out
T.O.D. The stage of development of maggots can be considered with reference to the life cycle of a fly- to give estimate of
maggot age. Determining age of insects- can estimate when eggs were laid on the body= estimate T.O.D. assuming eggs
were laid soon after death. Other factors e.g. toxins will affect results (cocaine will affect development.)
NON- SPECIFIC IMMUNITY
Pathogens enter the body through:
-Cuts on skin Inflammation at the infection site
-Digestive system via food & drink Site at which pathogens enter becomes red, swollen, warm
-Respiratory system via being inhaled and painful.
-Other mucosal surfaces. Immune system cells recognise foreign antigens and release
molecules that trigger inflammation.
-Molecules cause vasodilation around site.
But the body has BARRIERS to infection -Increases blood flow to site> molecules increase permeability
- Skin: physical barrier. However, if the skin is damaged,
of blood vessels> lots of blood cells, these destroy the
pathogens can enter the blood stream. Blood clots to
pathogen.
prevent this but pathogens may enter before clotting.
- Stomach acid: Pathogens in your food & drink will Interferon: anti-viral protein
mostly be killed by stomach acid. Those that survive Cells infected with viruses produce protein interferon's.
pass into intestines, invade the gut wall and cause -These prevent viruses spreading to uninfected cells by:
disease. (1) Preventing viral replication by inhibiting production of viral
- Gut and skin flora: The intestines and skin are covered proteins.
with billions of harmless microbes. These compete with (2) Activate cells of specific immunity to kill infected cells.
pathogens for nutrients and space, keeping their (3) Activate other non-specific mechanisms e.g. inflammation.
numbers down.
- Lysozyme: Enzyme present in secretions produced by
mucosal surfaces (eyes, mouth, nose.) These kill bacteria Phagocytosis: engulfment of pathogens
by damaging their cell walls> causes cell lysis> causes Phagocytes are found in the blood and tissues, they are the
cell death. first cells in the body to respond to pathogens. Phagocyte
recognises antigen on pathogen as foreign> cytoplasm of
phagocyte moves around the pathogen, engulfing it. The
pathogen is now in a phagocytic vacuole.
-A lysosome (organelle) which contains digestive enzymes,
fuses with the phagocytic vacuole and the enzymes break
down the pathogen. The pathogen then becomes and
Antigen Presenting Cell (APC.)
Antigens: Antibodies:
Protein or polysaccharide markers found on the surface Plasma cells make antibodies to a specific antigen.
of all cells- helps to identify them e.g. as self cells or Antibodies then bind to antigens on the surface of
foreign cells. pathogens to produce lots of antigen- antibody complexes.
• The variable regions form antigen binding sites that are
APC’s show antigens on the surface membranes to
complementary to the shape of the antigen.
activate other immune cells. Macrophages are a type
• Hinge regions allow flexibility when an antigen binds.
of phagocyte (White Blood Cell) that can become an
• Disulphide bridges hold polypeptide chains together.
APC (Antigen Presenting Cell) after engulfing a
pathogen.
What antibodies do:
Initial symptoms: Minor infections of mucus Initial symptoms: fever, general weakness, severe
membranes and recurring respiratory infections-caused coughing- caused by inflammation of lungs.
by lower than normal number of immune system cells.
Progression: TB progression damages the lungs. If it’s left
Progression: Number of immune system cells further untreated, it can cause respiratory failure which can cause
decreases. More serious infections e.g. Chronic death.
diarrhoea, severe bacterial infections, Tuberculosis. -Also, TB can spread from the lungs to other parts of the
body e.g. the brain and kidneys. If this is left untreated, it
Later stages: Very low immune system cell count at this can cause organ failure and can lead to death.
point. Suffers a RANGE of serious infections e.g.
Toxoplasmosis of the brain, Candidiasis of the
respiratory system. It is the serious infection that kills
the person, not the HIV itself.