The project:
This project involved investigating protein synthesis' relation to disease. We had to research a specific disease and then understand the protein that caused it and also describe the process of protein synthesis in the context of the disease. Our group researched type 2 diabetes (adult onset diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects the body's production and transportation of insulin, a protein that causes sugar in the blood to be moved for storage. Type 2 diabetes often comes later in life to adults. For the project we had to study how the protein insulin is affected by the process of protein synthesis when someone has type 2 diabetes. The final product for this project was a poster.
Reflection:
This project had a few high and low points. One of the main high points of this project was finishing the research and transitioning to the actual presentation on time. Another high point was addressing the research correctly and gaining more insight into the nature of diabetes. Also, the project had some low points for the group. One of those low points was having to cite all of the work we had done. Citing was a time consuming process. Lastly, a pit in the project was at the start, trying to motivate my group to be more focused and address the research adequately. Overall, my group for the project worked well together and we were satisfied with the end result.
Concepts:
Amino Acid:
Amino acids are biological molecules that are used in chains to make proteins. Some of them are essential and have to be eaten in foods.
mRNA:
the mRNA is the RNA that heads out of the nucleus and is sent to the ribosomes.
Polypeptide Chain:
A polypeptide chain is the chain of amino acids through the process of protein synthesis. It is folded into the structure of a protein in protein folding.
Protein Folding:
Protein folding is what happens after a polypeptide chain has gone through the process of protein synthesis in the ribosomes. The protein folds based on the RNA code. There are 4 stages in protein folding, the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. The proteins fold into different substructures like the beta sheets and the alpha helix. The process usually takes place in the Golgi Body.
insulin:
Insulin is a protein that is made by the pancreas. It is used to store blood sugar and is released by the pancreas when blood sugar levels are high. In type 2 diabetes insulin has difficulty getting around the body because of many factors that impede its transport. Also, the insulin protein itself might be misshapen.
Primary Stage:
In the primary stage of protein folding the polypeptide chain prepares for the actual process of the folding and verifies the RNA.
Secondary Stage:
The chain starts to fold into the beta sheets and alpha helix structures.
Tertiary Phase:
The protein often does this stage in the golgi body, which is known for packaging proteins. In this stage the protein starts to fold based on hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
Quaternary Phase:
This is the last stage of protein folding. In this stage the protein goes through the last few processes of verifying that everything is functional and it leaves the golgi body to perform its job
Codons:
Codons are groups of 3 nucleotides in the RNA. They are read by the ribosome in protein synthesis and they determine what amino acid will be put into the polypeptide chain by the tRNA.
Anticodons:
When the mRNA is read by the ribosomes in codons, the tRNA with a set of 3 base pairs that are complementary to the mRNA attaches with the RNA and deposits its amino acid. This group of 3 base pairs that are complementary to the mRNA are called a anti codon.
Transcription:
This is the first step of protein synthesis. The RNA polymerase unzips the DNA in the nucleus and then the mRNA is made using the complementary base pairs to the DNA.
Translation: The mRNA attaches to the nucleus and is read in codons. The tRNA with the correct anti codon that is complementary to the codon will attach to the RNA and then leave its amino acid. Eventually a chain of amino acids will form. This is translating the RNA to a actual protein.
Polymerase:
The polymerase is a structure that assists in the creation of RNA. It unzips the DNA for the process of transcription in the nucleus. Then complementary base pairs are matched to the DNA and mRNA is made.
mRNA:
mRNA is the RNA that is made for protein synthesis. It is made in the nucleus through transcription and then is sent across the cell to the ribosomes where protein is made.
tRNA:
This is RNA that is in the ribosomes. It reads the mRNA during protein synthesis in groups of 3 called codons. Then, it matches groups of 3 complementary base pairs called anticodons to the RNA in translation. Each tRNA has an amino acid attached to the end of it.
Protein Synthesis:
Protein synthesis is the process in which protein is made. First the process of transcription happens in the nucleus when the DNA is copied into mRNA. Then the mRNA travels to the ribosomes where it is read in codons in translation. The complementary anticodons on the tRNA match to the RNA and then leave amino acids. Finally, the protein undergoes folding and goes off to do its job.
Polymerase:
The polymerase is a structure that unzips the DNA in the process of transcription. It unzips the DNA so that the mRNA can be made for protein.
RNA:
Ribonucleic acid is RNA. RNA is critical in protein synthesis. When protein needs to be made a single strand of nucleotides that are complementary to the DNA is made. This strand is called RNA.
DNA:
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA is the instructions for life in the cell and it also is the instructions for protein synthesis. DNA is used in transcription to make RNA for protein synthesis.
Protein:
Protein is one of the most important biological macromolecules. It is used in many different cell functions throughout the body. It has to be made through the process of protein synthesis. Protein is made in the ribosomes. The ribosomes make a chain of amino acids and then they form into proteins after folding. The technical name for proteins is polypeptide chains.