Cutinase is a naturally occurring stereospecific catalyst capable of degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). As a result, cutinase is more frequently being used to degrade plastics found in various waste streams. In an effort to develop a new degradation protocol that requires the use of elevated temperatures you are tasked with improving the thermostability of the enzyme. Describe the types of amino acid changes you would introduce into the structure of this enzyme and why you would do so while attempting to achieve this objective.

Study the diagram of a desert food chain . what would most likely happen if the kangaroo rats were killed off and removed from the food chain ?

Read the following scenario to answer the following question. over the past 60 years, many amphibian species have experienced significant population declines, and some species have become extinct. scientists suspected that local human activities such as the destruction of wetlands, regional pollution, and deforestation were the main reasons for these losses. however, research over the past 20 years reveals significant amphibian population declines in protected areas of the world, such as nature preserves and parks. these global declines suggest widespread problems including increased ultraviolet radiation, acid rain, and disease. in switzerland, for example, 14 of the 20 native amphibian species are threatened with extinction. when most populations of a wide-ranging amphibian species are lost and the few remaining populations are widely separated, we expect to see that a. the founder effect becomes increasingly important b. microevolution no longer occurs c. gene flow between populations is reduced d. artificial selection becomes a greater factor in microevolution

Competition occurs between species when