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1500 questions
17
votes
2 answers
What is the explanation for the smaller number of tRNA than codons?
Translation, or decoding, of the four-nucleotide language of DNA and
mRNA into the 20–amino acid language of proteins requires tRNAs and
enzymes called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. To participate in protein
synthesis, a tRNA molecule must…
Berne
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3 answers
Superhuman eyesight
My ten year old son was reading car number plates that were too fast, too far away and at the wrong angle for any of us to read or even believe that it was possible for him to read. We thought he was lying as he reeled off the whole number plate and…
Claire
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17
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1 answer
Time from stimulus to gene expression
My understanding is that gene expression, in response to some stimulus, generally occurs on the order of minutes. I'm curious about the extremes...the quickest and the slowest cases.
What is(are) the fastest time(s) recorded for genes being…
Daniel Standage
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17
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4 answers
What implications has the missing 2'-OH on the capability of DNA to form 3D structures?
The chemical difference between RNA and DNA is the missing 2'-hydroxyl group in the nucleotides that build DNA. The major effect of that change that I know of is the higher stability of DNA compared to RNA. But I'm wondering whether this difference…
Mad Scientist
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17
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7 answers
How did the first self replicating organism come into existence?
When people try to explain evolution, they tell me that evolution is a cumulative result of mutations & natural section of the more superior individuals of a particular species. I think I'm fairly convinced with this explanation.
But when I think…
Green Noob
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17
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2 answers
Why do we have more male infants born?
For every 104 male babies, we have 100 female babies and there are statistics which are more reliable. (Those tell us that we have 997 female infants born per 1000 male infants born.) What is the reason for that? Why do we have more male babies than…
user12874
17
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2 answers
Do males of all sexual species have Y chromosomes?
I know for instance some cells are sexual, so, this got me wondering, do the males of all species that have distinct sexes have Y chromosomes?
Stan Shunpike
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17
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What are the main mechanisms of interaction between the nervous and immune systems?
We know from pop science that our psychological states have an effect on our immune systems ("worrying ourselves sick", etc.), but what are the actual mechanisms through which our nervous systems pass information to the immune system?
Cell mediators…
jonsca
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17
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2 answers
How hot can a beverage get without burning the tongue?
What is the maximum temperature that a beverage can be without burning the tongue?
I suspect there's a maximum temperature that the surface tissue of a tongue can withstand without being damaged (causing the burning feeling that lasts even after the…
J.Todd
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17
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3 answers
What is the optimal frame size for protein secondary structure prediction methods?
The whole question is
What is the optimal frame size for the second and third generation protein secondary structure prediction methods? Justify your answer.
I remember it has something to do with the average length of alpha-helix. More…
NonalcoholicBeer
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17
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1 answer
How to store vegetables in the refrigerator: In plastic bags or not?
My wife and I are having a debate similar to this one:
I claim that it's better to take the fresh veggies out of the bags and put them in the crisper with humidity control because:
That's what the crisper with humidity control is for.
If they are…
Eternal Learner
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17
votes
2 answers
Horned Mohawk looking insect. What is it?
Any ideas? I didn't know any other way to explain it.
I live in Indiana, USA if that helps.
Someone said it might be a "stink bug" but I'm not sure and not willing to find out!
ansarob
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17
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2 answers
Will humans and animals be harmed by frequencies outside their hearing range?
The human ear (for example) is sensitive to frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz. Any sound beyond that limit would not be heard by us naturally.
Will it harm us (effect our ability to hear) when we hear sound more than 20kHz continuously?
Or...
Will it…
Santosh Kumar
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2 answers
Do identical twins have the same fingerprint?
When there is every thing same from their genes to their phenotype so then why they don't have same fingerprints?
user4147
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17
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3 answers
Do probiotics survive digestion?
Pretty much this. I've been wondering if any of the yogourt and other "health" foods containing living probiotic cultures survive digestion to populate our intestines? If so, is there peer-reviewed evidence you could point me to?
user560