In this project we learned the steps on how our own DNA codes itself to create a protein. We learned the steps in Protein synthesis; starting from it running through the RNA polymerase and into the folding of amino acid chains. Our assignment was to choose a specific protein and find out how it is created.
My group chose Hemoglobin, the main component in our blood, for our protein. Hemoglobin can be seen through many models and displays. These models helped us learn incredible information about this protein. Yet, the main goal was to find out how it is made. We researched the process on how it is made and tracked it's journey through transcription and translation. This long process is unique to every protein, but in general has similar steps for each protein. All that changes is the specific coding for each protein.
Concepts Used:
Protein: A protein is a complex molecule made of a chain of amino acids. They are responsible for a humongous amounts of functions within the body, due to the fact that they can be so varied.
Central Dogma: The central dogma is a term used to describe the basics of protein synthesis. Basically, it says that DNA is used to make mRNA through transcription, and the mRNA is used to make proteins through translation.
DNA: DNA is the instructions for all of life. It is comprised of a double helix pattern that you should already know about, with nucleobases joining them in the center. The four nucleobases of DNA are Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), and Cytosine (C). They will each only pair with one of the other bases, A pairing with T and G pairing with C. The cell has developed to be able to make different proteins based on the different combinations of the bases of DNA in a long strand. DNA can be found in the nucleus
mRNA: mRNA carries instructions from DNA to the rest of the cell. It begins as free-floating bases in the nucleus, and is assembled into the exact opposite of a strand of DNA by an RNA polymerase. Instead of thymine (T), mRNA, and all RNA, use Uracil (U). After being assembled, strands of mRNA leave the nucleus, and go to other parts of the cell.
tRNA: tRNA can be found in the cytoplasm of a cell. It is like mRNA, in that it uses the same bases, but tRNA's job is to transport amino acids. It comes pre-assembled into groups of three bases, known as codons. Depending on which three bases it has, tRNA will be carrying a type of amino acid.
Ribosome: Ribosomes read mRNA, and use the information in mRNA to make proteins. When mRNA bonds with a ribosome, the ribosome reads it in codons (groups of three bases) and attaches tRNA with the opposite codon, or anticodon. When it does this, the amino acid the tRNA was carrying is added to a chain of amino acids. When the ribosome finds a stop codon in the mRNA, it releases the amino acid chain, and lets it fold itself into a protein.
Reflection: Man, I loved this group. In my opinion, it was one of the easiest groups I've had this year to work with. That being said, I also think that the project itself wasn't very complicated, especially with the way we chose to exhibit the change in our indicator of homeostasis, which was the subject's blood pressure. Surprisingly, not much went wrong in this project, which is something that I can't say about any of my other projects, and I believe that this can be attributed to how well our group worked together. Even the slight hurdle we had, in the form of a lack of change in blood pressure when we tried out using unnerving or alarming imagery and videos, we were able to overcome in a pretty short period of time.