Beta-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine, or BMAA, is a glutamate receptor agonist produced by cyanobacteria. Since Glu is an excitatory neurotransmitter, it is not surprising that BMAA is associated with neurological damage. Buildup of BMAA in fruit bats was hypothesized to cause neurodegenerative disease in islanders that fed on the bats. A recent study found high levels of BMAA in sharks, suggesting that consumption of shark fin soup is also dangerous. The researchers suggested that a secondary effect of BMAA may actually make these hazardous foods surprisingly desirable. What might this be?

Question

A.  Since BMAA is a Glu receptor agonist, it promotes incorporation of Glu into proteins, and has health-promoting effects.
B.  Since BMAA is derived from cyanobacteria, it provides unique nutrients not found in the animal or plant kingdom.
C.  Since BMAA is a Glu receptor agonist, it imparts a strong umami flavor that makes food more delicious.
D.  Since BMAA contains alanine, it improves protein synthesis by providing this rare nutrient.

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
What do you already know about glutamate? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

C.  Since BMAA is a Glu receptor agonist, it imparts a strong umami flavor that makes food more delicious.

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        · What are two effects of glutamate receptor agonists?
What type of thinking is required?
            o This is an evaluate question because you have to weigh and judge the different potential benefits of BMAA despite the fact that it is associated with neurological damage.

Gather Content
What do you already know about glutamate? What other information is related to the question?
        · You already know that that glutamate is an important excitatory neurotransmitter. Too much glutamate can lead to excitotoxicity and neuron death, which is why people that eat animals with too much BMAA can have neurological problems. You also know that glutamate is derived from the amino acid glutamic acid and that amino acids are what make up proteins. This is why glutamic acid is often used as a food additive and flavor enhancer in the form of its salt, monosodium glutamate. Since BMAA can bind to glutamate receptors, it can bind to umami taste receptors that bind amino acids like glutamate, and thus provide a savory flavor.

Choose Answer
Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        · Since BMAA is a glutamate receptor agonist, potentially positive side effects could be imparting a strong umami flavor that makes food more delicious. It would not promote the incorporation of Glu into proteins since the agonist has nothing to do with the translation of proteins. Just because it is derived from cyanobacteria, does not ensure that it has unique nutrients. Alanine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning that it can be manufactured by the human body and is not rare. Thus it would not need to come from a diet of cyanobacteria, fruit bats, shark fins, or any other diet.

Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o Answering this question correctly depended upon your ability to weigh or judge the validity of certain potential benefits of BMAA. If you answered incorrectly, which answer did you choose? Did you think that cyanobacteria might have some potential health benefits? Did you know that alanine is a nonessential amino acid?