Our project was done on Alzheimer's disease and to put it more broadly, diseases that are caused by proteins irregularly folding during the protein synthesis process. We learned the process of protein synthesis, protein folding, and then how they combine to create very serious diseases.
Work:
Above is our poster that we used in our presentation and the google doc that we used to collaborate and share tasks as well what we researched. This document shows our process by which we completed the project. I will give a brief explanation of our steps now. First we began by dividing what we needed researched by questions or specific pieces of information. Next we began our research and started to pool all of our information to ensure we had enough content for our poster. Then, once we knew that all of our information was accounted for, we put the poster together to visually represent our findings.
Content and Academic Language:
Codon- A sequence of 3 nucleotide bases that can be found in DNA or RNA. Anticodon- The opposite of a sequence of 3 nucleotide bases that are copied onto a strand of mRNA. Polymerase- A specific enzyme that is responsible for the forming of structures like DNA or RNA Proteins- Components of every cell in our body that functions in making up our hair all the way to being used to help digest food and absorb nutrients. They make up enzymes and are the building blocks for many parts of the body. mRNA-A form of RNA that carry genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. tRNA- Decodes mRNA sequence in a ribosome into polypeptide chain which ends up as a protein. Protein Folding structures and Steps/Phases: Primary-The polypeptide chain begins in the cytoplasm Secondary-The chain then moves to the rough endoplasmic reticulum where it forms either a alpha helix or beta sheet. Tertiary-Here is where domains for folding are made based on hydrophobic or hydrophilic tendencies. Quaternary- This is when the structures and there domains become a functioning protein. Hydrophobic- Repels water Hydrophilic- Mixes with water Alpha Helix- One of 2 structures that can form during the process of protein folding. Depending on which form it takes, will lead to more folding of the proteins or less. Beta Sheet-The second of the 2 possible structures that from in the process of protein folding. Protein Synthesis+Steps: Transcription-The steps of the protein synthesis process in which DNA becomes RNA. Translation-The steps in the protein synthesis process where the RNA becomes a protein. 1. First, One side of a DNA chain is scanned and copied, this then is called mRNA or messenger RNA. 2. Next, the mRNA leaves the nucleus, into the cytoplasm, then to the rough endoplasmic reticulum to search for a ribosome. 3. The mRNA goes through a ribosome in 3 bases at a time(Called codons) 4. The codons then become anticodons (opposite bases of the codon) and become tRNA or transfer RNA and match up with open bases in the DNA chain 5. These then form polypeptide chains which then become proteins that our body will send out of the cell to where they are needed.
Reflection:
Seeing as this was a fairly complex topic, I was proud of the way that my group and I really focused in to not just do the project but end up really understanding the disease that we had. and how serious it was. We were all on top of our work and contributed our part. Gigi went above and beyond with the effort she put in to the poster and it made it really nice to see all of our research put together so well onto a poster. I felt like this project was a good chance for me to do my part and let someone else become "the leader" of the group and to go with the flow. I definitely got to work on my collaboration skills as we all did our parts and pieced our research together then worked together to represent it visually all as a team. I learned for the future projects that if I stay on task as well as I did in this project, that my personal success will be much greater than if I just do meager or skimpy work just to get credit. (Yes I googled skimpy synonyms and came up with meager).