sample exam hokkaido university

Division of Environmental Science Development

Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University Course in Human and Ecological Systems, Course in Environmental Adaptation Science, and

Course in Global Environmental Management

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26 10

Entrance Examination

Specialized Subjects []

[For International Students] Environmental Science is a compulsory subject, and all 3 questions must be answered. Two questions are given in each of the 4 specific subject areas of (1) Mathematics and

Physics, (2) Ecology and Geography, (3) Environment and Society, and (4) Chemistry and Biology. Candidates are required to answer 1 question out of 8 questions.

The required 3 questions for Environmental Science and the 1 question for the chosen subject area are equivalent in score.

Use one answer sheet for each question. Specify the subject name and the question number on each answer sheet.

August 25, 2014

Entrance Examination for Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1

Environmental ScienceCompulsory

Question 1 Read the following extract from the Japanese Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and the Biodiversity in Japan and answer the following questions. One of the air pollutants is (a), a fine particulate matter which is suspected to cause damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems as it gets to the lung when inhaled. Therefore Japan took action in 2009 by establishing environmental standards for (a), and is regulating emissions of this pollutant. A monitoring system has also been deployed with the cooperation of local authorities, monitoring (a) levels at over 600 locations around Japan. In January 2013, significant air pollution occurred in and around Beijing, with (a) being one of the main problems. At that time, (a) levels exceeding environmental standards were observed in western Japan. Interim measures were put together in February, and the Ministry of the Environment issued provisional guidelines for alerts to warn people of the situation. Then, in May 2013 the environment ministers of Japan, (b), and Korea met and agreed to establish a new trilateral working-level panel to conduct dialogue on the issue. Japan experienced serious health problems when air pollution became a big problem around the country during the rapid economic growth in the 1960s. However, Japanese industries put their efforts into developing a solution for air pollution, including the deployment of low-sulfur diesel fuel, the development of electronic fuel injectors to facilitate complete combustion, and the development of exhaust system technology to remove sulfur oxides, (c), and (d). Eventually, Japan has grown to be one of the leading countries that have the worlds most advanced technologies to (e) air pollution. This sort of state-of-the-art technology has the potential to contribute a global challenge for air pollution. Select appropriate words in (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) from the list below. particulates, PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, China, EU, clean up, India, Canada, calcium oxide, promote Why is PM2.5 problematic among air pollutants? Explain in 3 lines.


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Environmental Science (Compulsory) Question 2 The following sentences describe the definition and significance of carbon offsetting being carried out in Japan. Answer the questions of (1) and (3) on the carbon offsetting. Definition: Individuals and businesses become aware of their greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions,

(i)make efforts to reduce their own GHGs emissions, identify (A) emissions, and (B) ) some or all of those emissions by purchasing (C) from (ii)projects that have achieved GHGs reductions or sequestered carbon. Significance: Carbon offsetting encourages efforts by individuals and businesses to reduce their GHGs emissions, creates awareness that GHGs emissions represent a (D) , shifting society towards (E) carbon lifestyles and business activities, and provides funding for GHGs reduction and carbon sequestration projects. (quoted from Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and the Biodiversity in Japan 2013 by Ministry of the Environment) (1) Select an adequate word for (A) to (E) from the following words of (a) to (i) and answer with the

symbol (the alphabet). (a) low, (b) illegal, (c) unavoidable, (d) credits, (e) marks, (f) cost, (g) offset, (h) neutralize, (i) high (2) Explain two technologies for renewable energy in about three lines, which have been developed

to reduce GHGs emissions as shown in the underlined part (i). (3) Explain an example of the projects to achieve the GHGs reduction performed in forest areas and

used as the carbon offsetting in Japan as shown in the underlined part (ii).


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Environmental Science (Compulsory)

Question 3 Read the following sentences and answer the questions (1) to (5). At (i)the international conference held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in October 2010, Aichi Biodiversity Targets were adopted. In an effort to accomplish these targets, the (ii)National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan 2012-2020 was approved by the Cabinet on September 28, 2012. Simultaneously the roadmap was also set out to aim for signifying a new paradigm of (iii)living in harmony with nature in light of the experience through the Great East Japan Earthquake. (iv)Efforts are also being made to integrate the importance of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into society with a variety of actors such as national and local governments, business sectors, NPOs and NGOs. *Source: Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and the Biodiversity in Japan 2013; partly modified (1) Concerning the underlined (i), provide full name of the conference, and describe the main

purpose of it in about three lines.

(2) Concerning the underlined (ii), a total of 13 national targets were set. Describe specific targets set for better management of nature reserves and conservation of endangered species in about five lines.

(3) Concerning the underlined (ii), the value of ecosystem service is emphasized. Provide the

definition of the term ecosystem service, and explain how biodiversity can be related to ecosystem services in about 3 lines.

(4) Concerning the underlined (iii), socio-ecological sphere was described as a new conceptual

structure of the society. Explain this concept in about 3 lines. Also, elaborate on an existing example of the activities that match with this concept in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, in about 3 lines.

(5) Concerning the underlined (iv), describe how business and local public sectors are capable to

contribute through certification systems and cooperation with tourism sector in about 5 lines.


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Mathematics and Physics

Question 1 Answer the following questions (1) ~ (5). (1)

(A) Calculate the eigenvalues of the following matrix.

a 1 11 a 11 1 a

(B) Calculate the determinant of the following matrix.

n n+1 n+ 22n 2n+1 2n+ 23n 3n+1 3n+ 2

(A) Calculate the sum of the following equation.

t + 2t1( )t=1

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(B) Determine the condition for x when the following series is convergent.

enxn=0

(A) Calculate the following indefinite integrals.

(a) x +1

(x + 2)(x +1) dx (b) 2x + 3

(x + 2)(x +1) dx (c)1

(x + 2)(x +1) dx

(B) When y(x) = ey(x ) sin[xy(x)] , calculate dydx .

Prove that the following equation holds: T + t1 1( )t=1

T

=1 . Here and T represent

arbitrary constant and natural number, respectively.

(Continued to the following page


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Read the sentences below and answer the following questions. The following equation represents the probability distribution called the Poisson distribution.

P(n) = n

n! e

Here n is non-negative stochastic variable and is positive constant. The Poisson distribution

expresses the probability of a given number of events, such as customers visit to restaurant, occurring in a fixed interval of time. (A) When n represents the number of customers entering the restaurant per hour, calculate the

probability that you expect no customer within one hour. (B) Calculate the mean and variance of the Poisson distribution using the following equation

n

n!n=1

= e . Include all the steps of your calculation in your answer.

(C) When you suppose = vt (t is time and v is constant), P(n) represents the probability that n

customers enter the restaurant within t hours. When v=2, calculate the waiting time until the probability that more than one customers enter the restaurant exceeds 0.9.


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Fig. 1: Illustration of column of air and the definition of height and pressure

Mathematics and Physics Question 2 Read following sentences and answer questions (1) to (6). The Earth gravity force pulls the atmosphere to the ground. The air density and pressure become higher as approaching the Earth surface. When we suppose a vertical column of air above a unit area as shown in Fig. 1, volume of air between two heights ! and ! + in the column is . When (i)density of the air in the shaded block is expressed as , the mass of air between ! and ! + is a . (ii)The gravitational force acting on the air mass is downward direction and the magnitude is , where is the magnitude of earth gravity acceleration. (1) For underlined phrase (i), choose an appropriate one from the choices below which represents

the unit of density. In the following choices, kg and m represent kilogram and meter, respectively.

kg, kg m-2, kg m-3, m2 kg-1, m3 kg-1

(2) Choose an appropriate one from the choices below to fill a . , /, ()!, ()!!, /()! (3) Answer the following questions regarding to underlined sentence (ii). (A) When air pressure at ! + is ! + as shown in Fig. 1, write an equation

describing a relationship between and . (B) Derive an equation describing a relationship among , , and air temperature by

eliminating in the equation (3)(A). You may use the equation of state for dry air = , where is air temperature, and is the gas constant for dry air.

(C) Explain a relationship between air temperature and rate of pressure change with altitude by sentences in about 3 lines.

(Continued to the following page)


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Fig. 2: Surface wind pattern in sunny summer day. Arrows indicate wind direction and speed. An arrow in white box at right bottom of the figure is a sample for northward wind with 3.0 m/sec speed. Contours represent topography. Grey shaded area is ocean.

(4) Derive an equation to calculate air pressure () at an arbitrary height () by means of vertical integration of the equation you derived in (3)(B). You may assume that air temperature is constant with height, and air pressure at sea level ( = 0) is !. You must write down all calculation steps as well as the final answer.

(5) If observed air pressure at 700 m above sea level is 920 hPa, derive an equation to calculate sea

level pressure (air pressure at = 0) by using the equation you derived in (4). (6) Figure 2 illustrates a typical surface wind pattern in sunny summer day. Answer the following

questions.

(A) Describe characteristics of the wind pattern in sentences in about 3 lines.

(B) Explain the mechanism of the wind pattern in about 4 lines with taking account of the equations you derived in (4) and (5).


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Ecology and Geography

Question 1 Answer the questions (1) and (2). (1) Answer the questions (A) and (B). (A) Describe each of the five ecological terms (i) to (v) in about 3 lines.

(i) biomagnification (ii) climax (iii) guild (iv) net primary production (v) seed bank

(B) Answer the questions (a) to (d) based on the text.

Because the volcanism became extremely high under the sea near (i)Iceland (N63o) in 1963, a newly-emerged island, of which area was more than 3,000 ha, was born. The volcanism ceased on the island by 1967. (ii)Plants had already established on the island in 1965 before the volcanism terminated. Although number of plant species is increasing until now, (iii)the number will not increase and have peaked in time. After nest building by birds was confirmed in 2003, (iv)the plant community structure was altered drastically through various bird activities.

(a) On the part of underline (i), mark down one of the major terrestrial biomes.

Then, describe the characteristics of climate, lifeform, diversity and productivity in the biome.

(b) On the part of underline (ii), show one taxon or species group and explain why the taxon or group establishes.

(c) On the part of underline (iii), explain why such a pattern occurs based on the

theory of island biogeography. Two terms, immigration rate and extinction rate, must be used in the answer.

(d) On the part of underline (iv), show the two reasons, and explain each of them.

Continued to the following page


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(2) Answer the following questions (A) to (F) after carefully examining the text below. Agricultural landuse has strong influences on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the surrounding areas. Water quality degradation in ponds and lakes is a well-known consequence, and is often caused by excessive inputs of nutrients originating from manure and fertilizers. In particular,

(i) excess phosphorous often decreases dissolved oxygen level resulting in significant changes in ecosystem structure and function. In order to prevent abrupt environmental changes, it is important to thoroughly monitor (ii) community structure of organisms and water quality. In terrestrial ecosystems, as a result of agriculture-driven fragmentation of forests and grasslands, (iii) population density or species diversity may decrease. These responses are often triggered by the shrinkage of suitable habitat or (iv) changes in habitat quality due to edge effects. In both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the assessment of ecosystem health by examining individual ecosystems separately may not suffice for sound ecosystem management. For the purpose of effective biodiversity management, for instance, it is imperative to examine (v) beta species diversity besides alpha diversity at the local scale. (A) Describe one concrete example of mechanisms that causes the phenomena in the

underlined (i) in about 3 lines.

(B) Assume the situation in which you are to monitor diversity characteristics of community structure (see the underlined (ii)). Elaborate on two community structures that have the same level of species richness but differ in evenness in about 3 lines by also providing a supporting figure.

(C) Firstly, define the term in the underlined (iii). Secondly, assume the situation in which you are to

estimate population level of a certain ground beetle species by the mark-recapture method. Estimate the population level when you originally marked 2000 individuals, and captured a total of 20 individuals that included a total of 5 marked ones. Provide the calculation processes in details.

(D) Describe one example of mechanisms that causes the phenomena in the underlined (iv) in about

3 lines. (E) Related to the underlined (v), define beta diversity by clearly distinguishing it from alpha

diversity in about 3 lines. (F) Describe what kind of management counter-measure can be implemented to minimize the

environmental impacts described in the text. Two terms, reserves and soil erosion, must be used in the answer.


10

Ecology and Geography

Question 2 Answer the following all questions (1) to (3). (1) Following text is describing coastal landforms in Japan. Answer the questions from (A) to (D) by

referring the topographic map below and the photograph at the following page. The Japanese archipelago is characterized by its long and complex coastal line. The coastal landforms are variable reflecting (i)terrestrial as well as (ii)oceanic conditions. Sandy beach sometimes consists of mud and gravel but it is mainly composed of sand which is most easily modified by various agents. ais a slender finger of sand from the shore into the mouth of the bay. If such a deposits build all the way across the bays mouth, a feature called bis formed. Enough sediment may collect behind the island to form a natural causeway from the island to the mainland, then it is calledc. Where bformation does take place, the bay is closed off from the ocean and transformed into ad.



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A Select three terms which satisfy the conditions (i) and (ii), respectively from the following candidate words.

Words: bay-mouth bar, mangrove forest, inclination, coral reef, tombolo, river inflow, sediment inflowsand spitbay-mouth bar, lagoondune, soils, ria, vegetation, delta, water depth, longshore transport, tide

BSelect appropriate terms inatodfrom the candidate words above. CSpots X, Y and Z shown in the map were supposed to bedwhen they were formed initially.

Then they were modified by subsequent agents. Arrange X, Y and Z from higher to lower based on the degree of modification

DThe photograph above was taken at point T in the map. The riverbank is composed mostly of

fluvial silt and sand. The horizon indicated by an arrow in the photograph is however marine sand. Describe any possible reasons why the layer (horizon) was deposited in the fluvial terrace in about 50 words.



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(2) Answer the following questions (A) and (B). (A) Fill the blanks marked as a to t with a term given at the end of this question. Choose one term that would best keep the meaning of the sentence and Fig. 1. (B) Specify the regions corresponding to the underlined part of (i).

Fig. 1 The fundamental meaning of landform development is the movement of earth surface materials.

Any medium enables of securing and transporting earth materials are called as "geomorphic agent". a is a geologic term that refers to internal processes and phenomena that occur beneath the

Earth's surface. b , c and d are all a . e refers to external processes and phenomena that occur on or above the Earth's surface. f , g and h are e . i is the long-term sum of processes that cause the wearing away of the earths surface leading to a reduction in elevation and relief of landforms. i also cause crustal j which is explained by the concept of k (Fig. 1). As the simplified example of Fig. 1, k is the principle of buoyancy where l immersed in the denser m is buoyed with a force equal to the weight of the displaced m . So, the overburden weight loss of Earth surface materials by i is compensate crustal j .

One of the actual process of k is rise of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of n during the last glacial period. The j has taken place following deglaciation due to the elastic response of the l as the ice load was removed. After this, j proceeded by slow viscous flow, (i) which affects several regions of the Earth until now.

The erosion rate in mountains is affected by long-term climate condition. Compared with the recent warmer period of o , greater amount of debris were produced during the colder period of p . That is because the degradation of timberline altitude leads the bare ground expansion above the timberline to enhance q . On the contrary, some researchers think that flood events are more frequent during o than p , so that more debris are produced in the recent times.

Words: uplift, diastrophism, earthquake, ocean, continent, ice sheets, glacial, interglacial, crust,

erosion, denudation, exogenic process, endogenic process, volcanic activity, frost-shattering, granite, isostasy, geoid, mass movement, magma, mantle, weathering



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(3) Landscape development has been explained by (i) a theory proposed by William Morris Davis in the late 19th century. Regarding the theory, answer the following questions (A) and (B).

Fig. 2 (A) Provide the name of this theory (underline (i) above) from the words given at the end of this

question.

(B) Provide an explanation of this theory by 200400 words with reference to Fig. 2 and the appropriate words among the given words at the end of this question.

The explanation should advert to: the names of each stage from A to E in Fig. 2, and the meaning and name of the horizontal line ( ) in the stratum of A to E.

Words: uplift, river, crust, erosion, denudation, Ptolemaic theory, heliocentric theory, evolution theory, cycle of erosion theory, peneplain, youth, maturity, old age, base level


14

Environment and Society

Question 1 Answer the following questions (1) to (4).

Fig. 1 Profiles of averaged atmospheric temperature calculated by a one-dimensional

radiative-convective equilibrium model for cases of atmospheric CO2 concentration of 150, 300, and 600 ppm, respectively (Manabe and Wetherald, 1967; modified from Yamazaki, 2009)

(1) Referring to the figure above, describe in around three lines about the characteristics of

averaged atmospheric temperature around the height of 30 km for the cases of the CO2 concentrations of 150, 300, and 600 ppm, respectively. Also describe in around five lines about the reason why the averaged atmospheric temperature differs with the CO2 concentrations.

(2) The figure above is the result by changing CO2 concentration. In reality, however, the atmospheric temperature around the height of 30 km is also considered to be affected by an anthropogenic activity besides increase in the CO2 concentration. Explain about this factor in around five lines.


150 ppm 300 ppm 600 ppm

Temperature (K)


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(3) List the name of treaty that regulates the anthropogenic activity described in (2). Also, describe in around five lines about the reason why the treaty has been considered to contribute accessorily on mitigating global warming.

(4) Why is global warming difficult to be solved by applying traditional approaches toward environmental problems such as cross-border environmental pollution? State the reason in around five lines.


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Environment and Society Question 2 Refer to the table and answer the questions below. Table. Installation capacity (MW) and annual production of electricity (MWh) of three renewable energy sources in Japan (modified from Ehara, 2012) A B C

Installation capacity (MW)

1,422 1,086 550

Annual production of electricity

(MWh)

1,495,000

1,903,000

3,228,000

Calculate the annual-mean capacity operating rate of A through C, respectively. A through C

are all renewable energy sources and correspond to each of geothermal, solar power and wind power. Answer which renewable energy corresponds to A, B and C, respectively.

Further installation of A through C is desired with regard to mitigating global warming, because very little CO2 and other greenhouse gas are emitted in operating the renewable energy facilities of A through C. Describe in around three lines about the merits and demerits in enhancing the energy use of A through C, respectively (in around nine lines totally).

List two other renewable energy sources, and mention in around five lines about the merits

and demerits of the two renewable energy sources (in around ten lines totally).


17

Chemistry and Biology

Question 1 Answer the following questions (1) and (2). Do not omit the calculation process and the reasons in the description. Incidentally, gas constant R = 8.314 JK-1mol-1.

Radioactive decay obeys a first-order rate law, rate = -N/t = kN, where N denotes the number of radioactive nuclei present at time t, and k indicates the decay constant. Answer the following questions (A) to (C) about the decay of strontium-90 (Sr-90). The half-life of Sr-90 is 29 years. Write in calculated values with two significant digits.

A Answer what fraction of the Sr-90 remains after four half-lives. B Answer what is the value of the decay constant [year -1] for Sr-90. Remember loge 2 =

0.693. C Answer how many decades are required for 97% of the Sr-90 to change into the other

nuclides.

Answer the following questions (A) to (D).

(A) Calculate the standard entropy change, S, for the formation of ozone at 298 K under atmospheric pressure (1 bar; 1.0105 Pa), using the following standard entropy values: 205.0 and 237.6 JK-1mol-1 for molecular oxygen and ozone, respectively.

(B) The standard enthalpy of formation, H, for ozone is 142.2 kJ mol-1. Calculate the

standard Gibbs free energy of formation, Gf, of ozone at 298 K under atmospheric pressure (1 bar; 1.0105 Pa).

(C) The following chemical reaction indicates the removal of ozone in the stratosphere

under natural condition. 2 O3(g) 3 O2(g)

Calculate the equilibrium constant (Kp) for the reaction. Assume the temperature of the stratosphere to be -30C and Gf to be temperature independent. Remember loge10 = 2.303.

(D) On ground of the magnitude of the Kp value, explain in around three lines why this

reaction is not considered a major cause of ozone depletion in the absence of artificial pollutants, such as chlorofluorocarbon.


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Chemistry and Biology

Question 2 Answer the following questions1to4. In the case of a numerical calculation, do not omit calculation process and the reasons in the description in your answer sheet.

Answer the following questions from (A) to (C).

(A) Recommended daily intake amounts of Ca2+ and Zn2+ in human adult are 1200 mg and 15 mg, respectively. Based on functional role of each metal, write the reason why largely varies in daily intake amounts of both metals within three lines

(B) A symptom like beriberi appears when you give a chick only polished rice, but the

symptom improves when you give it unpolished rice. Answer which vitamins participate to this phenomenon. In addition, when boiled unpolished rice is given to a beriberi-like chicken, how does the beriberi symptom turn out? Write the answer including the reason within two lines.

(C) Vitamin D deficiency is rare regardless of kind and quantity of the meal in the countries

right on the equator; however, although enough vitamin D is found in the meal, a symptom of vitamin D deficiency is often observed in near the polar region. Explain the reason around three lines.

Answer the following questions (A) and (B).

(A) Heartburn is known to occur by excessive gastric acid. Excessive gastric acid (0.2 M HCl, 250 mL) has just neutralized using antacid (100% NaHCO3). When antacid per one tablet is 1.4 g, calculate how many tablets of antacid are necessary. You can use following datum for the calculation; the molecular weight of NaHCO3 is 84.

(B) Answer the pH of 0.01 M nitric acid. In addition, when you diluted this nitric acid solution

endlessly with distilled water, pH does not change to alkali. Explain the reason with around two lines.

Answer the questions from (A) to (C) .

(A) When a wrong base is introduced during transcription to RNA or reproduction of DNA in an organism, which is more serious mistake? Answer it, and explain the reason with around two lines.

(continued to the following page)


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(B) In the experiment using the eukaryote cell, although a label of 32P is incorporated into the synthesized mRNA under presence of -32P-GTP, a label of 32P is not incorporated into the synthesized DNA under presence of -32P-dGTP. Explain the reason with around five lines.

(C) When a virus purified from a certain mammal is treated with a restriction enzyme, EcoR1, a double strand DNA fragment is observed. Explain the reason with around two lines.

Answer the questions from (A) to (C) after reading the following sentence: After analyzing sequence of the polypeptide consisting of 16 amino acid residues isolated from rat liver, the following results are obtained. Amino terminal residueVal Carboxyl terminal residueThr Obtained fragments by the trypsin hydrolysisfollowing 4 fragments

Asp-Val-Thr Val-Leu-Ser-Lys Phe-Gly-Tyr-Arg Ala-His-Trp-Glu-Lys

Obtained fragments by the chymotrypsin hydrolysisfollowing 4 fragments Gly-Tyr Arg-Ala-His-Trp Val-Leu-Ser-Lys-Phe Glu-Lys-Asp-Val-Thr

(A) Answer the original amino acid sequence of the polypeptide by arranging above fragments in an appropriate order.

(B) Describe specific cleavage sites of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the amino acid

sequence.

(C) Give acidic amino acid residues and basic amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence.

H25EH26E e

sample exam hokkaido university

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