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Dr. Sacks

Awakenings is an adaptation 
of the book of the 
same name written by 
Dr. Oliver Sacks. 
Check out his 
website for an interesting exploration.
It received the 
1990 Scripter Award.
  Awakenings
Project

Molecular
Biology 2

 

Last Update: 11 / 26 / 08

 

Quotes   Some Reviews

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Awakenings
Assignment
Formatting Rules
Assignment due dates
Grading Policy
Internet resources
Neuroscience links
for Awakenings 
Assignment
Awakenings
film questions
The Mind Traveler
with Dr. Oliver Sacks

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Awakenings Critique Assignment:

This assignment has a value of 15% of your Mol. Biology 2 final grade. The expectations are as follows:

1.    PLOT SUMMARY:

Write a plot summary with a focus on the life of Leonard and Dr. Sayres and their associated awakenings. The plot quide questions used in class may be obtained here.
2.    SCIENTIFIC CRITIQUE
Review the scientific validity (both pros and cons) of the film. In addition, review the biochemistry of the catecholamines associated with neurotransmitters derived from the amino acid phenylalanine. Show the chemical configurations of tyrosine, phenylalanine, L-dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.  Discuss the physiological roles of each. You should use my class notes for this information, but I have created a new information site with many sources of information on catecholamines: neuroscience links

Finally, discuss the disease Parkinsonism and explain how L-DOPA is used in its treatment.  In addition, include information that you have obtained from the update video that I showed after Awakenings that provided new information about the disease.  For more information on viruses and specifically, the Spanish flu virus, check out my internet resources for my Cell Biology 2 course.

3.    SIZE EXPECTATIONS
This paper should be no larger that 10 pages using Mol. Biology formatting rules. You may include your figures as a 11th page.  References must be included within the page limits.  Submission of a document with more than 11 pages will result in a 10% per extra page penalty. (a.k.a. The Heather Rule)
4.    DUE DATE:
This paper is due as listed on the Due Dates website.

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Rules		  
Assignment 
Due Dates

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