Biology
Genetics and Evolution
UCLA chemists report having created a synthetic "gene" that could capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming, rising sea levels and the increased acidity of oceans. They have taken both organic and inorganic units and joined them into a synthetic crystal which codes information like DNA does. It is in no way as sophisticated as DNA, but it is new to the fields of chemistry and materials science (Chemists Create Synthetic 'Gene-Like' Crystals for Carbon Dioxide Capture, 2010).
In the early 1990s, classes of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOF's) were invented. These are sometimes described as crystal sponges because the workings can nearly be changed at will. MOF's have pores or openings in which gases can be stored that are usually difficult to store and transport. Molecules can go in and out of the pores unhindered. UCLA chemists have created crystals of metal-organic frameworks in which the sequence of multiple functionalities of varying kinds and ratios act as a synthetic gene. With these multivariate MOF's, they have figured out a way to incorporate controlled complexity in a synthetic crystal taking synthetic crystals to a new level of performance (Chemists Create Synthetic 'Gene-Like' Crystals for Carbon Dioxide Capture, 2010).
This discovery could lead to cleaner energy, including the technology that could be used by factories and cars to capture carbon dioxide before it reaches the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is polluting the Earth's atmosphere along with damaging coral reefs and marine life and has impacts that are irreversible. Scientists believe that this will be important for potentially getting to a viable carbon dioxide-capture material with ultra-high selectivity. They are optimistic that is within their reach. Potentially, they think that they could create a material that could convert carbon dioxide into a fuel, or a material that can separate carbon dioxide with greater efficiency (Chemists Create Synthetic 'Gene-Like' Crystals for Carbon Dioxide Capture, 2010).
References
Chemists Create Synthetic 'Gene-Like' Crystals for Carbon Dioxide Capture. (2010). Retrieved
February 16, 2010, from Science Daily Web site:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100211141144.htm
Heritable Variation in a Population Variation within the realm of natural selection is the cornerstone of a healthy population with the ability to adapt to a given environment. Indeed, the reality is that natural selection and evolution are sciences of variation and inheritance. Variations known as heritable variations are those which are passed on from one generation of a population to the next. It is important for these variations to remain intact
They were not informed of the reason for the code. They were asked "(a) How similar do you think this person is to you? (1 _ not at all similar to 11 _ very similar) and (b) How much do you think this person will like you? (1 _ not at all to 11 _ very much)" and other like preliminary questions to see if subliminal likes were noticed
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now