The second project we completed in STEM sophmore year was about Homeostasis and proteins. First we looked into the process of how something goes from DNA to a protein. This required some background knowledge and using this we created a powerpoint presentation on a specific protein that our group chose.
Our Project
First we learned about proteins and what role they play in our bodies. From this information we looked into a specific type of protein and its process. My group chose Collagen. Collagen makes up the connective tissues in our bodies. It gives the skin strength and structure and helps replace dead skin cells. My group (Tara and Ryan) and I used the our knowledge of the DNA to protein cycle and modified it to fit collagen. We looked at its DNA sequence and how the final product looks and acts.
First we learned about proteins and what role they play in our bodies. From this information we looked into a specific type of protein and its process. My group chose Collagen. Collagen makes up the connective tissues in our bodies. It gives the skin strength and structure and helps replace dead skin cells. My group (Tara and Ryan) and I used the our knowledge of the DNA to protein cycle and modified it to fit collagen. We looked at its DNA sequence and how the final product looks and acts.
Content
All these terms are used in the process of protein synthesis:
Central Dogma- the flow of genetic material from DNA to a protein in a cell
Protein Synthesis- the actual process of DNA (genes) becoming proteins (the way a cell makes them)
Protein- a chain of amino acids
Amino Acid- make up protiens
DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid, responsible for all the instructions humans need to survive
RNA- ribonucleic acid, carries instructions from DNA. Used to control synthesis in a protein
RNA Polymerase- enzyme used in transcription
Ribosome- bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
Cytoplasm- material within a cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum- ribosomes attach and the final phase of synthesis occurs
Golgi Apparatus- responsible for transport and more
Nucleus- contains genetic material; the cell's "home base"
Transcription- a certain segment of DNA is copied into mRNA by enzymes; occurs in nucleus
All these terms are used in the process of protein synthesis:
Central Dogma- the flow of genetic material from DNA to a protein in a cell
Protein Synthesis- the actual process of DNA (genes) becoming proteins (the way a cell makes them)
Protein- a chain of amino acids
Amino Acid- make up protiens
DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid, responsible for all the instructions humans need to survive
RNA- ribonucleic acid, carries instructions from DNA. Used to control synthesis in a protein
RNA Polymerase- enzyme used in transcription
Ribosome- bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
Cytoplasm- material within a cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum- ribosomes attach and the final phase of synthesis occurs
Golgi Apparatus- responsible for transport and more
Nucleus- contains genetic material; the cell's "home base"
Transcription- a certain segment of DNA is copied into mRNA by enzymes; occurs in nucleus
- RNA polymerase, with other general transcription factors, binds to DNA.
- RNA polymerase creates a transcription bubble, which separates the two strands of the DNA helix. This is done by breaking the hydrogen bonds between DNA nucleotides.
- RNA polymerase adds RNA nucleotides (which are complementary to the nucleotides of one DNA strand).
- RNA sugar-phosphate backbone forms with assistance from RNA polymerase to form an RNA strand.
- Hydrogen bonds of the RNA–DNA helix break, freeing the RNA strand.
- The RNA may remain in the nucleus or exit to the cytoplasm through the nuclear pore complex.
- The RNA uses the corresponding nuclietides (A with U, T with A, and G with C) to match itself with the DNA strand
- Messenger RNA which is created through transcription—is interpreted by a ribosome to make a specific amino acid chain (polypeptide).
- The transfer RNA uses the corresponding nucleotides (A with T and G with C) to match up with the DNA strand.
- The transfer RNAs bring the amino acids into a polypeptide as the messenger RNA passes through and is "read" by the ribosome.
- Primary Structure- where the chain of amino acids come together
- Secondary Structure- where the chains fold into sheets of amino acids
- Tertiary Structure- where the sheets fold into one another
- Quaternary Structure- where chains folded in tertiary structure interact with each other to form final product (functional protein)
Reflection
This project was a little bit different from the ones we have done in the past. The end result was a presentation rather than a project which was slightly more challenging in certain ways. To start with, we were a little unclear on the directions which made communication difficult. Since we were a group of three, many simple tasks became more time consuming than for some of the other groups. This caused us to become a lot more dependent on ourselves because we had to get the work done, and our communication wasnt the best. Another thing I could improve on is my editing skills. After we wrote the first draft of our presentation, I found it very difficult to change some parts and make everything sound good. One thing I did well was staying positive. I knew my group memebers pretty well, so it helped me stay focused even when things werent going as planned. Another thing we did well was finishing on time. Even though we had a lot on our plates, we still managed to put together a really good presentation. Overall, this project was a little less hands on than normal, I learned a lot of valuable content.
This project was a little bit different from the ones we have done in the past. The end result was a presentation rather than a project which was slightly more challenging in certain ways. To start with, we were a little unclear on the directions which made communication difficult. Since we were a group of three, many simple tasks became more time consuming than for some of the other groups. This caused us to become a lot more dependent on ourselves because we had to get the work done, and our communication wasnt the best. Another thing I could improve on is my editing skills. After we wrote the first draft of our presentation, I found it very difficult to change some parts and make everything sound good. One thing I did well was staying positive. I knew my group memebers pretty well, so it helped me stay focused even when things werent going as planned. Another thing we did well was finishing on time. Even though we had a lot on our plates, we still managed to put together a really good presentation. Overall, this project was a little less hands on than normal, I learned a lot of valuable content.