Question

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, 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, was subsequently shown to have no effect at all, as is the case for Parkinson’s disease. In a short essay discuss how tne effectiveness of one enantimer and the other illustrates the theme structure and function, discuss how the effectiveness of one enantiomer and not the other illustrates the theme of structure and function.

Answer 1

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. L-DOPA is a commonly prescribed drug that can help compensate for the loss of dopaminergic neurons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the muscular system and movement. The disease is characterized by the death of neurons in the midbrain, leading to symptoms such as muscle tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. L-DOPA, a precursor to dopamine, is a commonly prescribed drug that can help compensate for the loss of dopaminergic neurons. However, over time, patients may become less responsive to L-DOPA treatment.

Answer 2

The two enantiomers of dopa have very different shapes, even if they have the same number of atoms of each element involved and have the same ones connected to one another. The great difference in activity shows that the key thing in determining biological activity is shape, not merely the number or arrangement of atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

• The two enantiomers of dopa have very different shapes, even if they have the same number of atoms of each element involved and have the same ones connected to one another.
• The great difference in activity shows that the key thing in determining biological activity is shape, not merely the number or arrangement of atoms.