After learning about the process of a protein becoming a disease, we were assigned a certain disease to explain the process we have spent over two weeks learning. Our disease was Type 2 Diabetes, which we had to prove is a protein driven disease. This task was to research a disease caused by a protein malfunction. My group made a poster, rap, and document to display our final product which we then presented to Ms. Mathews.
Concepts
Protein Synthesis- the process by which amino acids are linearly arranged into proteins through the involvement of ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, messenger RNA, and various enzymes. Step 1: DNA found in the nucleus is split and transcribed via mRNA. Step 2: mRNA leaves the nucleus into the cytoplasm and associates with a ribosome. Step 3: Translation occurs where tRNA anticodons bond with mRNA codons. Step 4: Then rRNA creates peptide bonds between amino acids. Step 5: The polypeptide bonds between amino acids create a protein. Throughout our project we had to explain protein synthesis and involve it in our poster. Polypeptide Chain- a linear organic polymer consisting of a large number of amino-acid residues bonded together in a chain, forming part of , or a whole, protein molecule. This relates to the project because if there is a problem with the chain, it can messes up the disease. Proteins- nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms. Proteins are the building block of diseases in this project. RNA Polymerase- an enzyme that is responsible for copying a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence, duyring the process of transcription. This relates to our project because if it doesn't read the code right, then the disease and protein have mutations. Codon- a sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule. If there is a problem with the codons then it can affect the RNA which will cause problems in the proteins. Anticodon- a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA. If the code is read wrong, this causes mutations in our project. Degenerative- characterized by progressive, often irreversible deterioration, and loss of function in the organs or tissues. If there is a loss of function, there can be problems with the disease. Amino Acids-a simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl and an amino group. This relates to our project because amino acids serve as the building blocks of polypeptides, and polypeptides serve as the building blocks of proteins. Since our project consists of proteins becoming a disease, the amino acids make polypeptides which are the building blocks of proteins. tRNA- (Transfer ribonucleic acid) a type of RNA molecule that helps decode a messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence into a protein. If the code is not read correctly, mutations occur which causes a problem with the proteins that cause disease. mRNA- (Messenger RNA) carries a portion of the DNA code to other parts of the cell for processing, created during transcription. This relates to our disease project because if the code is messed up, it can lead to a problem in the disease. Polypeptide Chain- Each polypeptide chain consists of smaller sub-units or amino acids that are linked together. This is used in our project when Prions- an infectious protein particle similar to a virus but lacking nucleic acid; thought to be the agent responsible for scrapie and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Since prions are responsible for the disease, if there is a mutation or problem in them it can immediately affect the disease. Alpha Helix- a common motif in the secondary structure of proteins and is a right hand-spiral conformation (i.e. helix) in which every backbone group donates a hydrogen bond to the backbone group of the amino acid located three or four residues earlier along the protein sequence. Alpha Helix was used in our project when creating the protein shape during the secondary part of protein folding. (Related to Protein Synthesis) Protein Folding- a protein structure assumes its functional shape or conformation. If there is a problem with the protein folding, it affects the protein's shape and ability to function. Transcription- the process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). We explained this process on the poster we created for this project. Translation- the process in which ribosomes in the cytoplasm or ER synthesize proteins after the process of transcription of DNA to RNA in the cell's nucleus. Translation relates to the protein to disease project because it is a step in protein synthesis, which creates the protein that can then cause a disease.
Throughout this project I have learned how to improve my work ethic skills and leadership skills profusely. I improved my leadership skills by not only managing my own work, but trying to help others and give tasks. My work ethic was very efficient throughout this project because I stayed on task everyday and accomplished everything we planned on doing and more. This was a fast paced project where we presented a rap and poster. If I could have improved anything throughout this project I would have made our poster look more presentable and practiced presenting with a straight forward format that gets our point across. Next project I would like to keep my leadership skills and improve on my empathy by focusing on my group as well as the content.