Assignment task:
Objective: Your task is to create a professional, visually engaging image that illustrates the destructive function caused by chemical oxidation, an inevitable consequence of energy derived from oxygen. The image may be an infographic or an illustration.
Exploring the Oxidation Puzzle:
Oxygen's dual role in biological systems is fascinating yet complex. On one hand, it's essential for energy production; on the other, it leads to the formation of reactive nitrogen species when it interacts with nitric oxide, a crucial biological signaling molecule. As you develop your image, consider how you can visually capture this intriguing balance. Below are some questions to guide your thinking. Feel free to also explore other relevant questions that might inspire your creative process:
1. How does the interaction between oxygen byproducts and nitric oxide influence biological systems?
2. In what ways can the duality of oxygen - as both a vital and a potentially harmful element - be represented visually?
3. What visual metaphors or symbols could effectively illustrate the concept of reactive nitrogen species and their impact? Your approach to these questions should help convey the complexity and significance of oxygen's role in biological oxidation, providing a visually compelling and scientifically accurate representation.
Background Reading:
The background reading is useful for placing the chemistry in proper context.
1. Wikipedia page for nitric oxide
2. Wikipedia page for peroxynitrite
3. Read the primary scientific literature presented in the article titled Oxidation of the Tryptophan 32 Residue of Human Superoxide Dismutase 1 Caused by Its Bicarbonate-dependent Peroxidase Activity Triggers the Non-amyloid Aggregation of the Enzyme Ex. Pay attention to the Abstract, Introduction, and Discussion sections. Note statements such as the results support a role for the oxidation products of the hSOD1- Trp32 residue, particularly the covalent dimer, in triggering the non-amyloid aggregation of hSOD1. Furthermore, Although our results cannot establish which of the oxidative modifications of hSOD1-Trp32 triggers the aggregation process, the covalent hSOD1 dimer is likely to play the major role.
Image Requirements:
1. Strong Visual Impact: The image should captivate and engage the viewer at first glance.
- Clarity and Simplicity: Your creation should be easy to understand, avoiding complex jargon. It is to be appealing to the general public.
- Originality: Showcase your creativity with an original image, not a reproduction from existing sources.
- Professional Presentation: The image should be neat, professional, and contain no irrelevant content.
- Self-Contained: The image should stand on its own, effectively conveying a relevant scientific message to a general audience, without requiring additional explanation.
Title and Caption:
1. Title: Provide a succinct title (less than 150 characters) that encapsulates the essence of nitric oxides role in function and chemical destruction.
2. Caption: Include a descriptive caption (less than 150 words) that complements the image and enhances understanding.