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1500 questions
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4 answers
How fast do cancer cells divide (compared to normal cells)?
This question suggests that we have, on average, 50-70 billion cell divisions per day. I just read that cancer cells divide more often and are therefore more prone to radiation.
I am wondering, for a specific type of cancer, how fast cancer do…
Dilawar
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When did CRISPR/Cas9 evolve and what is the likelihood that a superior system for live cell genome editing has already evolved on earth since then?
I've read that CRISPR/Cas9 is currently being implemented and tested for its ability to edit genomes in live cells, and that it is supplanting other genome editing tools in labs, such as TALENs and Zinc finger nucleases.
I understand that there…
Jesse W. Collins
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What are the effects of sleep deprivation?
Having recently pulled an "all-nighter" while trying to fix a fatal bug in our release code, I started thinking of any health risks that I might have.
What are the adverse effects of staying up for staying up for 42 hours, considering I took no…
Alexander Craggs
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How many agarose gel bands are typical for circularised DNA
I am aware that circular DNA can be both relaxed and super coiled. However when running an agarose gel of the circular plasmid along with singly digested plasmid with BamHI and HindIII, I see 1 band for the linearized plasmid (lanes 2-5) (as…
Ben
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"Same" DNA vs genes
It is often cited that humans share 99% (or 98%) of their DNA with chimpanzees.
On the other hand it is stated that siblings share only half of their genes.
What (if any) is the difference between DNA and genes; or, how can the above two claims be…
user4932
13
votes
1 answer
First RNA polymerase-mRNA
We know that RNA polymerase produces mRNA by reading DNA strand. Which enzyme produces the first RNA polymerase if other RNA polymerases are synthesized in the same way like other enzymes(proteins) ?
Raghavakrishna
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Are there any pre-Holocene venomous animals?
The novel (and subsequently movie) Jurassic Park featured a dinosaur called Dilophosaurus, that was purported to be venomous and had an ability similar to that of the extant spitting cobra. Unfortunately, the whole setup isn't real.
This got me…
user132
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1 answer
A question about the intersection of evolution and thermodynamics
From this 2014 article in Quanta magazine by Natalie Wolchover there is a quote from a physicist with an intriguing idea about evolution:
“You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light on it for long enough, it should not be so…
daniel
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How do baby animals that primarily subsist on cellulose get their initial gut flora?
In the case of mammals like giraffes and koalas, is that bacteria common on the plants they eat so when a baby starts to try to stick something besides its mother's milk in its mouth, it can't digest the cellulose at all the first time, but along…
mring
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On the genetics behind caste marriages
I am in India where it is typically a custom to marry within one's caste. The caste system originated with roots in people's professions - Each of priests, carpenters, troupers, etc had a caste of their own. My question is based on the genetic basis…
Bravo
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What determines when a virus becomes a "new strain"?
The reason we cannot find a cure for the common cold is because viruses mutate rapidly. Where do the mutations occur in the DNA/mRNA of viruses and does this have any effect on the protein level? what has to change for the virus to be considered a…
harpalss
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Small worm living in some kind of cocoon, what are these animals?
I am curious what animal is this. It is/lives inside some kind of cocoon, about 1 cm in length. They are attached to walls and to the ceiling, but sometimes they fall off. Inside the structure there is a small worm that can come out at both ends…
AndreKR
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Can species back-evolve?
One of the tenets of Darwin's theory is the survival of the fittest, ie adaptation of features that allow a species to adapt better to its surrounding environment. I am wondering that given the right conditions, is there a possibility of a more…
gkadam
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How straightforward is in vitro compartmentalization?
in vitro compartmentalization (IVC) is one of those technologies that everyone knows about, talks about, but never actual does due to the rather technical difficulties in setting the system up. I was wonder if anyone not named Tawfik, Griffiths or…
bobthejoe
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What is the minimum air pressure the human body can tolerate if oxygen supply is not an issue?
Disregarding hypoxia, what is the minimum air pressure that the human body can tolerate?
(i.e. at what air pressure would the blood start to boil, or skin start to burst, or whatever else might happen that would kill you but isn't related to…
user541686
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