“Rodopsa” Mystery: Is it alive?
In order to consider “Rodopsa” living, it has to satisfy what requirements in biology?
Below document whether “Rodopsa” meets or does not meet each of the 11 requirements
of life. Explain your reasoning.
Characteristic of
living things
1
Homeostasis
2
Levels of
organization
3
Growth
4
Reproduction
5
Genetic Material
6
Metabolism
7
Need energy
8
Reproduction
9
Adaptation
10
Respond to
stimulus
11
Made up of cells
Met
requirement
Did not meet
requirement
Explanation
2. Explain if “Rodopsa” is living or not living? Use evidence from the 11 requirements of life
study you just conducted above. (write in complete sentences)
3. What is “Rodopsa”?!
Breaking news: Is the Deer Park water giving
individuals super human powers?
An epidemic of growing proportions has been occurring in Deer Park.
Many individuals have been reporting of a new recent trait they have
gained. According to these individuals their new trait allows them to
quickly self heal no matter the severity of the injury.
After multiple people have reported medical professionals their newly
acquired trait. Shell biologists were called into investigate the
mysterious incidents occurring in Deer Park. In order to know where
to start looking for a possible cause or contamination, the shell
scientists started their investigation questioning the affected
individuals. After questioning occurred they observed the affected
individuals shared and drank from the same water source. The water
source was where the shell scientists started conducting their
investigation.
All the affected individuals drinking water was examined for
similarities. The same exact form was found in all the affected
individuals drinking water. Shell scientists obtained samples of this
form to examine it. Based on their observations, the scientists have
named the form “Rhodopsa” for its ability to allow those infected
with it to readily self heal any injury. Below are the scientific
observations for “Rhodopsa”.
Scientific Observation for “Rhodopsa”
Shell scientists have studied the function and structure of
“Rhodopsa” extensively. What they found was that “Rhodopsa”
structurally looked like a very simple cell. It cell was even more
simpler then bacteria cells. Instead of containing a phospholipid
bilayer as its cell membrane, “Rhodopsa” cell like structure was made
from all proteins. Scientists are referring to it as a protein coat.
Scientists have concluded that “Rhodopsa” protein coat is similar to
cells but are not made up of cells. In addition its protein coat
contained spike like projections composed of carbohydrates and
proteins. These carbohydrate and protein spikes allow “Rhodopsa” to
stick/attach to other cells. “Rhodopsa” is 100 times smaller than a
bacteria cell.
Inside “Rhodopsa’s “ protein coat, it was found to only contain
genetic material. No cytoplasm or organelles are present inside any
of the “Rhodopsa’s “ protein coats. In addition, not all “Rhodopsa”
had the same genetic material. Some had RNA has their genetic
material while others had DNA as their genetic material. “Rhodopsa”
contains either RNA or DNA as their genetic material. At the
moment we do not know why some contain RNA while others
contain DNA.
When placed by itself Rhodopsa does not shown signs of reproducing,
growing or moving. Contrasting observations were found when
“Rhodopsa” was placed with other living tissues (chicken tissues).
Only then could it reproduce and move around. They are dependent
on the living tissue to reproduce and move.
Lastly, “Rhodopsa” is very resilient and can exist for long periods of
time without any food supply (energy). In fact it does not need
energy to exist because it has no way of metabolizing. Scientist
tested in what environments “Rhodopsa” could exist. What they
have found is that “Rhodopsa” can exist in all types of environments
including extremely hot and cold environments.
The Shell scientists are coming to the 9th grade biologists at Deer
Park High School. They need your help to determine if “Rhodopsa” is
a living organism. They have provided you with all their observations
that you read above. It is up to you to use those observations above
to determine if “Rhodopsa” is living or non-living. Your conclusion
will determine the emergency action plan the Shell scientists will
take. Your biology teacher will provide the report sheet on which you
will conduct your reasoning and conclusion. Good luck.
An electron image was taken of “Rhodopsa”. The image produced is
found below.