Consider the following scenario:
In the last few weeks, residents have noticed an increasingly large number of dead fish washed
up on to the beach. The area is routinely used for a variety of recreational activities including
swimming, surfing, boating, and fishing. The local community is concerned about potential
toxins in the water, especially since this could affect their health and the local tourism industry.
In an effort to investigate this further, you have been hired to research this issue and present your
findings at the next city council meeting. Specifically, council members have asked you to
identify the toxin/hazardous chemical present in the water. Once youve identified the responsible
agent, they would like to know what specific impact this has on aquatic organisms and why the
fish have died. They also want to know how their own health could be impacted. You will be
preparing several written materials, along with a presentation that you will deliver to the
committee. Note: You do not have to actually present to your city council; this is just the
scenario for this assignment.
You will need to communicate the following knowledge youve gained throughout the course.
Describe chemical structures and identify key functional groups.
Explain the ways in which molecules interact with each other.
Describe the role of eukaryotic organelles and how they relate to the overall functioning of the
organism.
Explain how energy is stored and utilized by cells.
Describe the role of enzymes and inhibitors in controlling metabolic reactions.
To accomplish this, you should:
Identify and investigate one toxic chemical that can result in the fish deaths that are being
observed.
Include the chemical structure of the toxin, and identify specific functional groups that may be
involved in its mode of action.
Explain where this chemical typically comes from and/or is used.
Hypothesize about how the chemical is likely entering the organism and/or cells.
Identify the specific impact that the identified chemical has on organisms, specifically fish and
humans.
Identify the specific organs and/or tissues impacted by the toxin.
Identify the cellular location/organelle that is impacted.
Identify and characterize the metabolic process that is specifically impaired.
This should include the identification of an enzyme or potential binding site/target that the toxin
is interacting with.
Provide reasonable explanations for what might have caused this problem.
Consider the following scenarioIn the last few weeks, residents h.pdf
1. Consider the following scenario:
In the last few weeks, residents have noticed an increasingly large number of dead fish washed
up on to the beach. The area is routinely used for a variety of recreational activities including
swimming, surfing, boating, and fishing. The local community is concerned about potential
toxins in the water, especially since this could affect their health and the local tourism industry.
In an effort to investigate this further, you have been hired to research this issue and present your
findings at the next city council meeting. Specifically, council members have asked you to
identify the toxin/hazardous chemical present in the water. Once youve identified the responsible
agent, they would like to know what specific impact this has on aquatic organisms and why the
fish have died. They also want to know how their own health could be impacted. You will be
preparing several written materials, along with a presentation that you will deliver to the
committee. Note: You do not have to actually present to your city council; this is just the
scenario for this assignment.
You will need to communicate the following knowledge youve gained throughout the course.
Describe chemical structures and identify key functional groups.
Explain the ways in which molecules interact with each other.
Describe the role of eukaryotic organelles and how they relate to the overall functioning of the
organism.
Explain how energy is stored and utilized by cells.
Describe the role of enzymes and inhibitors in controlling metabolic reactions.
To accomplish this, you should:
Identify and investigate one toxic chemical that can result in the fish deaths that are being
observed.
Include the chemical structure of the toxin, and identify specific functional groups that may be
involved in its mode of action.
Explain where this chemical typically comes from and/or is used.
Hypothesize about how the chemical is likely entering the organism and/or cells.
Identify the specific impact that the identified chemical has on organisms, specifically fish and
humans.
Identify the specific organs and/or tissues impacted by the toxin.
Identify the cellular location/organelle that is impacted.
Identify and characterize the metabolic process that is specifically impaired.
This should include the identification of an enzyme or potential binding site/target that the toxin
is interacting with.
Provide reasonable explanations for what might have caused this problem
