剑桥生物化学PS赏析

剑桥大学（BCF0自然科学）、谢菲尔德大学（C709生物化学）、约克大学（C700生物化学）、萨里大学（C700生物化学）和曼彻斯特大学（C700生物化学）

你为什么想学习这个课程或学科？

人体仅由三个主要元素组成：氧、碳和氢，这是一组原子，可以形成无限多种物质，从水到塑料。当这些数十亿个独立原子精确组合时，它们可以形成精美的专用分子，创造出有生命、有感知的生物体。我自己化学结构的复杂性令我着迷，尤其是考虑到整个生物体可以被还原为其组成元素及其相互作用，而对单个分子的微小变化可能带来灾难。去年研究DNA转录成蛋白质引起了我的兴趣;一个完整的生物体可以分解成由四个化学碱基组成的代码的概念，促使我阅读了《基因组：一个物种的23章自传》。了解到CAG重复序列对4号染色体的毁灭性影响，导致不可逆的亨廷顿舞蹈症，令人着迷;这也提出了一个问题：我们的生化结构在多大程度上影响我们的日常生活，以及我们的特征和行为在多大程度上归因于遗传，又有多少受外部影响。我很快发现，越了解这个话题，我的好奇心就越大：我还想了解遗传密码的另一部分——线粒体DNA。布莱恩·赛克斯的《夏娃的七个女儿》是一本启发性的读物，详细阐述了我们祖先的广度，这些都从这一基因环的一小段中可以辨识出来。随后我读了其他作者的作品，比如理查德·道金斯和史蒂夫·琼斯，并且我是《新科学家》的常客。当我参加刘易斯·达特内尔关于天体生物学的讲座和天文馆展览时，我对生命本身及其定义标准的看法受到了挑战;思考生命如何被定义，以及这如何影响我们对外星生命的认知，令人着迷。考虑到某些地球极端环境生物已知能生存的环境，考虑到我们太阳系内外星生命可能存在的哪里，这也令人兴奋。

你的资质和学习如何帮助你准备这门课程或科目？

除此之外，我还参加了皇家学会的夏季科学节和Cafe Scientifique讨论会，以及皇家学会和自然历史博物馆举办的其他讲座。我被选中代表学校参加2010年在自然历史博物馆举办的生物多样性学生峰会。聆听顶尖科学家讨论全球变暖、生物多样性价值以及食品作物基因改造的影响等当前世界问题，是一次启发性的经历。

每天演讲结束的辩论也非常愉快：我是学校辩论队的长期成员，这让我有机会参加英语联盟的权杖比赛和下议院的学生议会。此外，我还参加了英国数学信托高级团队挑战赛。这鼓励了横向思考和对解决问题的创造性态度;今年我参加了全国密码挑战赛，这将进一步提升这些技能。

你在教育之外还做了哪些准备工作？这些经历为什么有用？

此外，参加爱丁堡公爵的铜、银、金奖也考验了我的耐力和团队合作。作为这些奖项的一部分，我曾在乐施会做志愿者，并积极参与学校的国际特赦组织协会。这种对全球事务的兴趣部分促使我被任命为负责学校慈善的高级学长，期间我协助为灾害紧急委员会筹款才艺表演筹款，并参与了许多其他活动，如新生入职周。我才刚刚开始揭开生物化学的秘密，但它已经让我着迷。我不懈的好奇心驱使我去理解这个主题的全部复杂性;我的决心和奉献将使我能够做到这一点。

英文

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The human body consists of just three main elements: oxygen, carbon and hydrogen: a group of atoms which can form an infinite number of substances, from water to plastics. When these billions of separate atoms combine in precise arrangements, they can form beautifully specialised molecules which create a living, sentient organism. The sheer complexity of my own chemical make-up fascinates me, particularly considering how an entire organism can be reduced to its constituent elements and their interactions, whilst the slightest change to a single molecule can spell disaster. Studying the transcription of DNA into proteins last year intrigued me; the concept that an entire organism can be broken down into a code written in four chemical bases compelled me to read 'Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters'. It was fascinating to learn the devastating effect of CAG repeats on chromosome 4, causing the irreversible Huntington's chorea; this also presented the question of the extent to which our biochemical makeup impacts upon our daily lives, and how much our characteristics and actions can be attributed to our genetics, and how much to external influences. I soon discovered that the more I learned about this topic, the greater my curiosity: I also wanted to understand another piece of the genetic code, mitochondrial DNA. Brian Sykes' 'The Seven Daughters of Eve' proved an illuminating read, detailing the extent of our ancestry that is discernable from a short segment of this genetic loop. I have followed this with works by other authors, such as Richard Dawkins and Steve Jones, and I am a regular reader of New Scientist. My views of life itself, and the criteria by which it can be defined, were challenged when I attended Lewis Dartnell's lecture and planetarium show on astrobiology; it was fascinating to consider how life could be defined, and how this might affect our recognition of extra terrestrial life. It was also thrilling to consider where, within our own solar system, alien life might be found, given the conditions which some terrestrial extremophiles are known to survive.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

In addition to this, I attended the Royal Society's Summer Science Festival and Cafe Scientifique discussion session, and other lectures held by the Royal Society and the Natural History Museum. I was selected to represent my school at the 2010 Student Summit on biodiversity at the Natural History Museum. Hearing leading scientists discuss some of the current problems facing the world, such as global warming, the value of biodiversity and the impact of genetic modification of food crops was an enlightening experience.

The debates which concluded each day's talks were also thoroughly enjoyable: I am a long-standing member of my school's debating team, which has given me the opportunity to participate in both the English Speaking Union's Mace competition and the Student Parliament at the House of Commons. Additionally, I took part in the UK Mathematics Trust Senior Team Challenge. This encouraged lateral thinking and an inventive attitude to problem solving; this year I am participating in the National Cipher Challenge, which will develop these skills further.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Furthermore, undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards has tested my endurance and team work. As part of these awards, I have volunteered with Oxfam and been an active participant in my school's Amnesty International society. This interest in global issues in part led to my appointment as Senior Prefect responsible for charities in school, in which capacity I have assisted with running a talent show fundraising for the Disasters Emergency Committee, and with many other events such as the induction week for new students. I have only just begun to uncover the secrets of biochemistry, yet already it fascinates me. My unrelenting curiosity compels me to understand the full complexity of the subject; my determination and dedication will enable me to do so.