Callous Remark
A callous remark made by someone in the class set me thinking about how insensitive or just unrealistic some of our students are.
There is no denial there all of us know that there are unfortunate people out there. But knowing it and understanding it are two different matters.
There are people who tried hard to eke a living, there are some who lives with a silver spoon in the mouth. There are people who don't have to make a choice between wants and needs because it will always be the latter while others spent their time deliberating over really minor wants.
I once have a friend who came to NUS to study on a scholarship. From a small little town in M'sian he came, and the scholarship could not really substain him for Uni education in terms of fees and living. He once told me that there came a point in time when all the money he has left was $2 in his pocket and he stood at the foodstall, deciding whether to buy lunch or save the money for something else. In the end, he was too hungry so he bought lunch. I am not sure if that will ever be an issue with some of us. Anyway he found tuition later on to support himself through Uni.
He is a friend whom I admire, for his perservance, attitude and warm personality.
After graduation, I received a call from him out of the blue during CNY. He was on a train holding on to a can of abalone and he called just to tell me how excited he is in returning home with his first paycheck and that can for his family who is not well-off. . I felt very happy for him and it was also an honor to be able to share his joy.
Why are I writing this?
I am not too sure. At 17-18, life had barely began and it is really hard to expect most of my students to be able to relate to certain circumstances or troubles of life but perhaps it is time to be more aware of life out there.
------
There is no denial there all of us know that there are unfortunate people out there. But knowing it and understanding it are two different matters.
There are people who tried hard to eke a living, there are some who lives with a silver spoon in the mouth. There are people who don't have to make a choice between wants and needs because it will always be the latter while others spent their time deliberating over really minor wants.
I once have a friend who came to NUS to study on a scholarship. From a small little town in M'sian he came, and the scholarship could not really substain him for Uni education in terms of fees and living. He once told me that there came a point in time when all the money he has left was $2 in his pocket and he stood at the foodstall, deciding whether to buy lunch or save the money for something else. In the end, he was too hungry so he bought lunch. I am not sure if that will ever be an issue with some of us. Anyway he found tuition later on to support himself through Uni.
He is a friend whom I admire, for his perservance, attitude and warm personality.
After graduation, I received a call from him out of the blue during CNY. He was on a train holding on to a can of abalone and he called just to tell me how excited he is in returning home with his first paycheck and that can for his family who is not well-off. . I felt very happy for him and it was also an honor to be able to share his joy.
Why are I writing this?
I am not too sure. At 17-18, life had barely began and it is really hard to expect most of my students to be able to relate to certain circumstances or troubles of life but perhaps it is time to be more aware of life out there.
------
Topics for Common Test
MCQs:
- DNA & Genomics
- Genetics of Virus and Bacteria
- Diverisity & Evolution
Structured + Essay
- Org and Control of Pro and Eu Genomes
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Homeostasis
- Endocrine
- Nervous System
- DNA & Genomics
- Genetics of Virus and Bacteria
- Diverisity & Evolution
Structured + Essay
- Org and Control of Pro and Eu Genomes
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Homeostasis
- Endocrine
- Nervous System
Questions of Week_23 Feb
Do we say Carbon Fixation or Cabon Dioxide Fixation?
Both terms have been used by different texts so there is no issue with either. But usually we would say carbon dioxide is fixed into the cycle so to avoid confusion and to adhere to notes, I would advise to use carbon dioxide fixation.
Can cyclic photophosphorylation run by itself?
*amended*
yes. Cyclic photophosphorylation will run when there is not sufficient ATP in the stroma (ATP/NADPH ratio) (switch from non-cyclic to cyclic).
Note: there will be more than one electron involved in the cyclic pathway, when we considered those coming from PSII as well. Thus technically, we do not consider p700 as the electron donor although (and unless) in an isolated system where it will provide that first one electron for cyclic photophosphorylation
Why do we call the TCA cycle light-independent reaction? Can it occur without light?
Light-independent reaction is so called because it can occur in darkness but only in a while. The reaction still requires products i.e. ATP and NADPH from the light dependent reaction. When those are exhausted, the Calvin cycle cannot proceed.
So when you switched from light to darkness, there will be a transition period of time when Calvin cycle continued until it stops.
Both terms have been used by different texts so there is no issue with either. But usually we would say carbon dioxide is fixed into the cycle so to avoid confusion and to adhere to notes, I would advise to use carbon dioxide fixation.
Can cyclic photophosphorylation run by itself?
*amended*
yes. Cyclic photophosphorylation will run when there is not sufficient ATP in the stroma (ATP/NADPH ratio) (switch from non-cyclic to cyclic).
Note: there will be more than one electron involved in the cyclic pathway, when we considered those coming from PSII as well. Thus technically, we do not consider p700 as the electron donor although (and unless) in an isolated system where it will provide that first one electron for cyclic photophosphorylation
Why do we call the TCA cycle light-independent reaction? Can it occur without light?
Light-independent reaction is so called because it can occur in darkness but only in a while. The reaction still requires products i.e. ATP and NADPH from the light dependent reaction. When those are exhausted, the Calvin cycle cannot proceed.
So when you switched from light to darkness, there will be a transition period of time when Calvin cycle continued until it stops.
Days of a Teacher
Thurs
- went to school.
- lecture test followed by lesson
- 2 period-lesson for 3L
- 1 hr break for lunch which never existed since there was a need to confirm details of an overseas student trip with the finanace office. Only coffee.
- 1230, yet another lecture test, sneak off to try and catch Ms Lim to talk about the students who will be going for yunnan CIP project; never did catch her
- 1320, back to staff room. fret over a pile of mock SPA marking due. lunch meeting with teachers on coming exams until 1730hrs.
- look for ms lim - mutual exchange of information and we decided on the last student to send for trip and she gave me more forms to work with.
- went home at 7pm.
got home. dinner.
- compile exam details until 1030
- start mock SPA marking
- mark mark mark until next day 2:30 am. weary. not sure if I can maintain the same standard of marking. decided to sleep. set alarm clock.
Fri
woke up at 545am to continue marking.
mark mark mark, 7am - all done.
prepare and went to school
after assembly, went for my first class, return mock spa + went through tutorial (2 lesson block). maintained adrenaline
after lesson, back to staff room at abt 1030. had brunch.
wanted sleep badly but decided to create a nervous review to prepare students for the topic which they are rather confused in and which we might not have time to cover at all before common test. Spent an hour in the creation.
bell rang. finished zapping the worksheet. went to class.
last part of tutorial + hand out review worksheet and went thru. adrenaline maintained. Nervous system. one of my faves.
1320 went back to staff room. form sent out to CIP students did not come in. asked for an extension for them since I know that the probability of return is low and they will have problem getting them out today. Liasing and communication ended 330pm. Went to look for a member of PE dept to discuss student overseas trip. nope. not there. back to staff room 4pm.
tired and decided that I would not be productive in marking the lecture test so slept with my head on the table in the staff room, after the attempt to return home for nap is foiled by rain.
woke up at 6pm to find more papers on my table to be worked on. so sound asleep that I did not hear anyone coming to me to pass me stuff. But it was power nap.
Went out on a ride with a colleagues to buy dinner back for some other colleagues and myself. 645pm diiner delivered. chomp down food in 15 mins - went for drama feste to support my students.
1000pm.drama feste ended. there was an external meeting that I am supposed to attend but I decided not to given the state that I am in and I still need to get some stuff settled by tonight. called to inform the committee.
went home. took a detour to buy coffee.
got home. settled in and worked til 1230am. decided to sleep.
and it was all the way til 11am the next day as the body took its renewal nap.
decided to just lay back and recuperate for sat.
- went to school.
- lecture test followed by lesson
- 2 period-lesson for 3L
- 1 hr break for lunch which never existed since there was a need to confirm details of an overseas student trip with the finanace office. Only coffee.
- 1230, yet another lecture test, sneak off to try and catch Ms Lim to talk about the students who will be going for yunnan CIP project; never did catch her
- 1320, back to staff room. fret over a pile of mock SPA marking due. lunch meeting with teachers on coming exams until 1730hrs.
- look for ms lim - mutual exchange of information and we decided on the last student to send for trip and she gave me more forms to work with.
- went home at 7pm.
got home. dinner.
- compile exam details until 1030
- start mock SPA marking
- mark mark mark until next day 2:30 am. weary. not sure if I can maintain the same standard of marking. decided to sleep. set alarm clock.
Fri
woke up at 545am to continue marking.
mark mark mark, 7am - all done.
prepare and went to school
after assembly, went for my first class, return mock spa + went through tutorial (2 lesson block). maintained adrenaline
after lesson, back to staff room at abt 1030. had brunch.
wanted sleep badly but decided to create a nervous review to prepare students for the topic which they are rather confused in and which we might not have time to cover at all before common test. Spent an hour in the creation.
bell rang. finished zapping the worksheet. went to class.
last part of tutorial + hand out review worksheet and went thru. adrenaline maintained. Nervous system. one of my faves.
1320 went back to staff room. form sent out to CIP students did not come in. asked for an extension for them since I know that the probability of return is low and they will have problem getting them out today. Liasing and communication ended 330pm. Went to look for a member of PE dept to discuss student overseas trip. nope. not there. back to staff room 4pm.
tired and decided that I would not be productive in marking the lecture test so slept with my head on the table in the staff room, after the attempt to return home for nap is foiled by rain.
woke up at 6pm to find more papers on my table to be worked on. so sound asleep that I did not hear anyone coming to me to pass me stuff. But it was power nap.
Went out on a ride with a colleagues to buy dinner back for some other colleagues and myself. 645pm diiner delivered. chomp down food in 15 mins - went for drama feste to support my students.
1000pm.drama feste ended. there was an external meeting that I am supposed to attend but I decided not to given the state that I am in and I still need to get some stuff settled by tonight. called to inform the committee.
went home. took a detour to buy coffee.
got home. settled in and worked til 1230am. decided to sleep.
and it was all the way til 11am the next day as the body took its renewal nap.
decided to just lay back and recuperate for sat.
Arrgh
What a lousy day.
I always hate it when I cannot feel the connection between the questions and my thought processes and it happened this morning.
I should have done a quick run through before lesson or last night but unforseen factors came up. It is not that I was unprepared - I did all the stuff on Saturday but the memories of that day faded like an image blurred after 4 days of gongxi gongxi.
Arrrghh. I failed to feel my punchline of the day.
I always hate it when I cannot feel the connection between the questions and my thought processes and it happened this morning.
I should have done a quick run through before lesson or last night but unforseen factors came up. It is not that I was unprepared - I did all the stuff on Saturday but the memories of that day faded like an image blurred after 4 days of gongxi gongxi.
Arrrghh. I failed to feel my punchline of the day.
Questions of Week_16 Feb
There are a few issues to note, some of which I have already highlighted in some classes so here goes if you miss it in class.
1)In Calvin Cycle, the reduction reaction has NADPH becoming NADP+ and the release of Pi.
Qn: Where did the Pi come from? Where did the H+ go?
Ans:
a)Pi comes from the ATP earlier on and which was incorporated into GP before its release later on
b)H+ was incorporated into the organic molecule 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate, a molecule after GP, to become G3P. See diagrams below:
---------------------
2) Rubisco the term is given with reference to its role as a carboxylase. When we talk about it being a oxygenase, how do we refer to it?
We still call it Rubisco but pointing out that it serves as a oxygenase (when required)
---------------------
3)Why did the 1st ETC in light-dependent reaction pump H+ but not the 2nd one?
Hummpf.. it was noted in lecture that the proteins that make up the two chains are different and thus yes, there is a H+ pump in the 1st ETC but not in the 2nd one. If you want to know more, you have to find out how the proteins are arranged with respect to one another and even to the thylakoid membrane.
---------------------
4) Calvin Cycle: How many turns to make one glucose molecule or any hexose sugar?
It is 6 turns. Each CO2 can only be fixed on one RuBP at any one time. Each turn of the cycle will generate 2 G3P, one with an atmospheric C fixed into it but not the other. You already know that for every 12 G3P generated (6 turns), the system will somehow be able to regulate and send only 2 G3P out of the cycle to form glucose and 10 G3P remain in the cycle for regeneration of RuBP.
Qn: So does that mean that each cycle will generate 1/3 of a G3P to be transported out?
To reconcile that:
By now, you might realise that there is many RuBP to serve as CO2 acceptors. So at any one time, you can have 6 RuBP accepting 6 CO2 such that you will get a pool of 12 G3P at some point and of which 10 will return back to cycle(s) and 2 will be siphoned off. =)
--- easier to imagine?
-----------------------
5) Tutorial Qn (roughly lah): where does photophosphorylation take place?
- thylakoid membrane/grana
Can we talk about formation of ATP at the stroma side of the membrane?
Yes. Based on the definition, it is one up to you. It is perfectly fine to have that, even better.
-----------------------
That's all folks!!
Good luck for test =)
1)In Calvin Cycle, the reduction reaction has NADPH becoming NADP+ and the release of Pi.
Qn: Where did the Pi come from? Where did the H+ go?
Ans:
a)Pi comes from the ATP earlier on and which was incorporated into GP before its release later on
b)H+ was incorporated into the organic molecule 1,3 bisphosphoglycerate, a molecule after GP, to become G3P. See diagrams below:
---------------------
2) Rubisco the term is given with reference to its role as a carboxylase. When we talk about it being a oxygenase, how do we refer to it?
We still call it Rubisco but pointing out that it serves as a oxygenase (when required)
---------------------
3)Why did the 1st ETC in light-dependent reaction pump H+ but not the 2nd one?
Hummpf.. it was noted in lecture that the proteins that make up the two chains are different and thus yes, there is a H+ pump in the 1st ETC but not in the 2nd one. If you want to know more, you have to find out how the proteins are arranged with respect to one another and even to the thylakoid membrane.
---------------------
4) Calvin Cycle: How many turns to make one glucose molecule or any hexose sugar?
It is 6 turns. Each CO2 can only be fixed on one RuBP at any one time. Each turn of the cycle will generate 2 G3P, one with an atmospheric C fixed into it but not the other. You already know that for every 12 G3P generated (6 turns), the system will somehow be able to regulate and send only 2 G3P out of the cycle to form glucose and 10 G3P remain in the cycle for regeneration of RuBP.
Qn: So does that mean that each cycle will generate 1/3 of a G3P to be transported out?
To reconcile that:
By now, you might realise that there is many RuBP to serve as CO2 acceptors. So at any one time, you can have 6 RuBP accepting 6 CO2 such that you will get a pool of 12 G3P at some point and of which 10 will return back to cycle(s) and 2 will be siphoned off. =)
--- easier to imagine?
-----------------------
5) Tutorial Qn (roughly lah): where does photophosphorylation take place?
- thylakoid membrane/grana
Can we talk about formation of ATP at the stroma side of the membrane?
Yes. Based on the definition, it is one up to you. It is perfectly fine to have that, even better.
-----------------------
That's all folks!!
Good luck for test =)
V-Day
We used to celebrate V-day together with Frenship Day. And years after leaving jc, I continued to send messenges of appreciation to my friends on this pinky-red day.
This is a day when I reaffirmed my friendship with some who have walked with me on this journey all the while, and re-established bonds with others who have drifted away in the hustle and bustle of our separated life but yet taken up a place in my heart.
If you think V-day is only for couples, think again. What better time to send messages of love and appreciation to friends?
This is a day when I reaffirmed my friendship with some who have walked with me on this journey all the while, and re-established bonds with others who have drifted away in the hustle and bustle of our separated life but yet taken up a place in my heart.
If you think V-day is only for couples, think again. What better time to send messages of love and appreciation to friends?
Stress Management: How Do U Cope?
When I was at your age?
I have absolutely no idea. Many years back, the last lesson of the normal curriculum would end at 5:10pm which is my Mon.
I have training on Tue, Thurs and Sat which would end beyond 8pm on the weekdays with PT on the track and pull-up bars when daylight no longer existed while Sat would end at 2pm with only half the day to ourselves.
My Friday evening was taken up by CLCDS when I would meet up with my kakis to laugh ourselves silly at drama time, ending slightly early at about 7:30pm. In short, the only days of the weeks which I can sit back, relax and do some proper readings are Wednesday, late Sat afternoon and Sunday. I caught myself zoning out in lectures sometimes thus I have never slap any kiddos awake because the regimen of life can be tedious. But I always make sure I have completed notes to study from should I missed out anything in lectures or missed lessons. Notes will be read on the bus and work done in breaks betw lessons or after school before training. Surprisingly I got through. Perhaps we never have the distraction of the internet or handphone. That is our generation gap. Or maybe it is all about discipline.
Does that mean that everything sail smoothly?
Sometimes it is a smiling face who understand falls and sadness most. I have gone through my fair share of emotional hardship, whether it is about self-esteem, stress, falling short of expectations or loneliness.
And I think that is somethings all your teachers can offer to you beside content knowledge - our experience in life as we battle our own demons and came out bruised and tattered phyiscally and at heart but survived to continue our journey with a fresh perspective and tougher hide.
I have absolutely no idea. Many years back, the last lesson of the normal curriculum would end at 5:10pm which is my Mon.
I have training on Tue, Thurs and Sat which would end beyond 8pm on the weekdays with PT on the track and pull-up bars when daylight no longer existed while Sat would end at 2pm with only half the day to ourselves.
My Friday evening was taken up by CLCDS when I would meet up with my kakis to laugh ourselves silly at drama time, ending slightly early at about 7:30pm. In short, the only days of the weeks which I can sit back, relax and do some proper readings are Wednesday, late Sat afternoon and Sunday. I caught myself zoning out in lectures sometimes thus I have never slap any kiddos awake because the regimen of life can be tedious. But I always make sure I have completed notes to study from should I missed out anything in lectures or missed lessons. Notes will be read on the bus and work done in breaks betw lessons or after school before training. Surprisingly I got through. Perhaps we never have the distraction of the internet or handphone. That is our generation gap. Or maybe it is all about discipline.
Does that mean that everything sail smoothly?
Sometimes it is a smiling face who understand falls and sadness most. I have gone through my fair share of emotional hardship, whether it is about self-esteem, stress, falling short of expectations or loneliness.
And I think that is somethings all your teachers can offer to you beside content knowledge - our experience in life as we battle our own demons and came out bruised and tattered phyiscally and at heart but survived to continue our journey with a fresh perspective and tougher hide.
Blue Slip
I had my first blue slip when I was in JC2, during an awkward day just before a national holiday. The pain was actually experienced a day before, during a softball game but was quickly ignored in the heat of game.
The pain at the abdominal was throbbing. Not excruiating but disturbing which is abnormal because most people will be in such pain that they could not walk for the same diagnosis. I decided years later that my noiceptors have high tolerance. While everything seemed fine, I called up my mum and took a blue slip just in case it was a recurring intestinal inflammation. Cut the long story short, within hours of diagnosis where second opinion was sought, I was admitted into the hospital the very day for an appendicitics operation. After the operations, my doctor declared that my appendix was already close to bursting and I could have died if I have delayed any longer.
I missed my season that year but ultimately, health is irreplacable.
Why is this input here?
Because I want to remind you to take care of yourself. Only we ourselves know our body and health best - when to take blue slip and rest and when we can persist until the end of the day with a running nose. The season has come when epidemic might descend. Be responsible for yourself but dun abuse the system.
The pain at the abdominal was throbbing. Not excruiating but disturbing which is abnormal because most people will be in such pain that they could not walk for the same diagnosis. I decided years later that my noiceptors have high tolerance. While everything seemed fine, I called up my mum and took a blue slip just in case it was a recurring intestinal inflammation. Cut the long story short, within hours of diagnosis where second opinion was sought, I was admitted into the hospital the very day for an appendicitics operation. After the operations, my doctor declared that my appendix was already close to bursting and I could have died if I have delayed any longer.
I missed my season that year but ultimately, health is irreplacable.
Why is this input here?
Because I want to remind you to take care of yourself. Only we ourselves know our body and health best - when to take blue slip and rest and when we can persist until the end of the day with a running nose. The season has come when epidemic might descend. Be responsible for yourself but dun abuse the system.
Questions of the Week (2 Feb)
Where does the CO2 in the Krebs cycle come from? Does the Krebs cycle need O2?
As noted in lecture, O2 is not involved in Krebs cycle but only in oxidative phosphorylation as the final electron acceptor.
The 2 oxygen molecules come directly from the compounds involved in the Krebs cycle. There are 3 carboxylic acid groups in the citrate as noted in the diagram below which showcases the cycle in more details.
In Krebs cycle, ATP is produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.
Does the alpha-ketoglutarate have a phosphate group? If not, where did the phosphate group come from?
(Extra) With reference to the diagrams above and below, an inorganic phosphate group is taken from the matrix and added to succinyl CoA by an enzyme before removal in forming succinate. Since the phosphate group (in transition) comes from succinyl CoA, it is considered a substrate-level phosphorylation.
What triggers off the anaerobic pathway?
Under aerobic condition, pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA by an enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase. The enzyme is allosterically regulated and will be inhibited by high levels of NADH and CoA which will accumulate in the mitochondrial matrix if oxygen is absent and oxidative phosphorylation is inhibited.
Thus pyruvate can only undergo the anaerobic pathway to form ethanol or lactate to continue generating ATP under glycolysis.
Question of the week for Last Week
Will be posted tmr, Monday because I had prepared them on Friday while in school and I forgot to save a copy in my thumbdrive to be uploaded over the wkend. =P Stay Tuned
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