WRITE ABOUT A THEME: ORGANIZATION In 1918, an epidemic of sleeping sickness caus

Question

WRITE ABOUT A THEME: ORGANIZATION In 1918, an epidemic of sleeping sickness caused an unusual rigid paralysis in some survivors, similar to symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. Years later, L-dopa (below, left), a chemical used to treat Parkinson's disease, was given to some of these patients. L-dopa was remarkably effective at eliminating the paralysis, at least temporarily. However, its enantiomer, D-dopa (right), was subsequently shown to have no effect at all, as is the case for Parkinson's disease. In a short essay (100-150 words), discuss how the effectiveness of one enantiomer and not the other illustrates the theme of structure and function. L-dopa D-dopa

Explanation / Answer

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is secreted in the substantial nigra of brain. It is secreted when receiving an award it appreciation or a feeling of self worth. In Parkinson's disease, the levels of dopamine are low in the brain. Administration of L-dopa reverses some of the symptoms of Parkinson's like muscular rigidity. D-dopa is not biologically active L-dopa and D-dopa are cheap molecules. The arrangement of atoms are mirror images of each other. The enzymes cannot act on D-dopa and is biologically inactive.

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