Week 8: Informational Interview Template And Grading Rubric

Week 8: Informational Interview Template and Grading Rubric

This document contains the template you will use to complete this assignment. Save the file by adding your last name to the filename (e.g., Week8_Informational_Interview_Template_Smith.docx). Be sure to proofread and spell check your work before you submit it. There are FIVE steps to the Informational Interview:

1. Compile a list of individuals in your target career field whom you would like to interview. Identify people working at a company you are interested in. Use your network—classmates, friends, family, colleagues—to find potential interviewees.
2. Prepare a brief introduction of yourself and the purpose of the interview. Develop open-ended questions appropriate for the interview. You can find examples online using “informational interview” as a search term.
3. Practice your interview with a friend, classmate, or family member and seek feedback to improve your performance.
4. Arrange a time and date for the interview, record the interviewee’s responses, and send a thank-you message within two business days.
5. Complete the provided table summarizing the interview, including questions, responses, and your learnings from the experience. Submit the completed table in Week 8.

For each interview, include the name and contact information of the interviewee, their company and position, and record their answers to your questions. Finally, reflect on what you learned about the company, the interviewee’s career path, potential career avenues for yourself, company culture, and skills you need to develop. Your reflection should be a minimum of 100 words.

Grading Rubric

The assignment will be evaluated based on completion: including the interview, contact details, questions, responses, and reflection. Deductions may apply for spelling and grammatical errors (up to 10 points). Missing elements will result in further point deductions.

Answer to Additional Biological Questions

1. DNA replication, telomerase activity, aging, and cell death

DNA replication is essential for cell division, but it inherently leads to the shortening of telomeres—protective caps at chromosome ends—each time a cell divides. Telomerase, an enzyme that elongates these telomeres by adding repetitive nucleotide sequences, helps maintain chromosome length in certain cell types like stem and germ cells. As organisms age, telomerase activity diminishes in somatic cells, leading to telomere shortening, which triggers cellular aging and apoptosis (cell death). This process acts as a biological clock, limiting cell division and contributing to aging and age-related diseases. Moreover, insufficient telomerase activity can lead to genomic instability, increasing the risk of cell death and senescence, while abnormal telomerase activity is associated with cancer progression, where cells evade normal aging controls (Shay & Wright, 2019).

2. Functions of DNA

DNA serves as the fundamental blueprint for all living organisms, carrying genetic instructions essential for growth, development, and functioning. The primary functions of DNA include encoding proteins, regulating gene expression, and ensuring hereditary transmission of genetic information from parent to offspring. Additionally, DNA is involved in repairing genetic damage and coordinating cellular responses to environmental stimuli. Its double-helix structure provides stability and protection for genetic information, while the ability to undergo replication allows genetic continuity across generations. Without DNA, the genetic continuity necessary for life processes would be impossible, disrupting the survival of organisms (Lodish et al., 2016).

3. Importance of bases in DNA translation

The four nitrogenous bases of DNA—adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)—are critical for the accurate translation of genetic information into proteins. During transcription, specific sequences of bases (codons) are read to synthesize messenger RNA (mRNA). Each codon corresponds to a particular amino acid, which is assembled into proteins during translation. The sequence of bases determines the amino acid sequence, and thus the structure and function of the resulting protein. The complementary base pairing (A with T, C with G) also ensures the fidelity of DNA replication and transcription, making the bases essential for maintaining genetic information and proper protein synthesis (Alberts et al., 2014).

4. Factors affecting biological diversity

Genetic diversity among organisms is primarily driven by mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow. Mutations introduce new genetic variants by altering base sequences, which can lead to new traits. Reproductive isolation and environmental pressures further shape diversity by selecting for advantageous traits. Conversely, factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change can reduce diversity by causing population declines or extinctions. Additionally, inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks can lead to decreased variability within populations. The balance of these factors ensures the richness of life forms, with molecular mechanisms like DNA recombination fostering diversity, while environmental stresses may threaten it (Frankham et al., 2010).

5. DNA versus RNA or protein as genetic material

DNA is widely accepted as the primary genetic material due to its stable double-helix structure, which allows for accurate replication and repair. Its chemical composition, with deoxyribose sugars and stable base pairing, makes it well-suited for storing hereditary information over generations. RNA, being single-stranded, is more flexible and less stable, functioning mainly in protein synthesis and regulation. Proteins, although vital for cellular function, are not ideal as genetic material because they are composed of amino acids, which are structured proteins rather than information carriers. The discovery of alternative DNA forms, such as double-stranded RNA and alternative structures, reflects the molecule’s versatility and ongoing evolution understanding. However, the stability and information content of DNA make it the most effective molecule for genetics (Watson & Crick, 1953; Alberts et al., 2014).

References

• Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Morgan, D., & Raff, M. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.). Garland Science.
• Frankham, R., Ballou, J. D., & Briscoe, D. A. (2010). Introduction to Conservation Genetics. Cambridge University Press.
• Lodish, H., Berk, A., Zipursky, S. L., et al. (2016). Molecular Cell Biology (8th ed.). W. H. Freeman.
• Shay, J. W., & Wright, W. E. (2019). Telomeres and telomerase: Their roles in aging and cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 2(8), 578–583.
• Watson, J. D., & Crick, F. H. C. (1953). Molecular structure of nucleic acids: A structure for deoxyribose nucleic acid. Nature, 171(4356), 737–738.