For this project, we had to pick a protein-related disease and give an explanation in any way we wanted, besides slides, to show our understanding of the disease, the protein and the synthesis of proteins. The Questions we needed to answer were: What is it? What parts of the body does it affect, symptoms? What protein is affected ? Who is likely to get it? What are the treatments? Cure? What are the barriers to curing it? Any interesting research going on now? We chose the protein disease achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism. For this project, I teamed up with Sean Burke and Chapin Williams.
Video |
|
We decided to make a video to answer these questions creatively.
|
Protein Synthesis
Protein Synthesis is the process in which cells create new proteins. First, the mRNA strand is created, using a DNA double helix in the genome as a template. Then the mRNA goes through transcription. In transcription, the sugar and phosphate in the strands are fused together by covalent bonds. This forms the RNA polymerase. The RNA then goes through translation. In translation, tRNA with anticodons attach to the codons on the mRNA, leaving behind amino acids. The amino acids link up until the polypeptide chain is formed. The protein strand then goes to the rough ER where it is folded by a four stage process, until it becomes a fully functional protein. When the protein begins it's folding process, it is in the first structure, the primary structure. It then folds into either an alpha helix or beta sheet and becomes the secondary structure. Then, the hydrophobic sides fold towards the center of the protein, with the hydrophilic sides on the outside, making the tertiary structure. Finally, the protein starts functioning, transitioning it into the quaternary structure.
|
Concepts
Codon - A sequence of three nucleotides that make up a DNA or RNA molecule.
Anticodon - A sequence of three nucleotides on a tRNA that attach to a corresponding codon.
Polymerase - An enzyme that shapes the structure of a particular polymer.
Polypeptide Chain - The polymer of proteins.
Amino Acids - The monomer of proteins.
mRNA - Messenger RNA, which gives genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome.
rRNA - Ribosomal RNA, which is the predominant material in ribosomes and is essential for protein synthesis.
tRNA - Transfer RNA, which attaches the anticodons to the codons and strings together the amino acids.
Anticodon - A sequence of three nucleotides on a tRNA that attach to a corresponding codon.
Polymerase - An enzyme that shapes the structure of a particular polymer.
Polypeptide Chain - The polymer of proteins.
Amino Acids - The monomer of proteins.
mRNA - Messenger RNA, which gives genetic information from the DNA to the ribosome.
rRNA - Ribosomal RNA, which is the predominant material in ribosomes and is essential for protein synthesis.
tRNA - Transfer RNA, which attaches the anticodons to the codons and strings together the amino acids.
Reflection
This project was a great learning experience for me. One thing that went well for our group was the video. It turned out really well and we were able to shoot all the scenes and edit the video without any problems. This taught me more about video editing and acting. Something that didn't go so well for our group was research. The particular disease we piked, achondroplasia, was complicated to research in respect to protein synthesis. The cause of the disease did not really come from a change in the protein synthesis. This taught me more about the importance of research and effort. Another peak was the collaboration. Our team members got along pretty well and we were able to accomplish a lot of work, very quickly. This helped me improve my people skills. A low point for us occurred when we were creating the storyboard for the video. Some group members wanted to make it a serious video, while others wanted it to be funny. At the end, I wasn't too happy with some of the things we put in our video. This taught me about the importance of effort and compromise. There are a few things I need to improve on, though. I need to work on improving my empathetic skills. This would help me understand my group better. I also need to work on my work ethic, so my work is a reflection of who I am. This project helped me improve many skills and taught me very interesting information about proteins.
This project was a great learning experience for me. One thing that went well for our group was the video. It turned out really well and we were able to shoot all the scenes and edit the video without any problems. This taught me more about video editing and acting. Something that didn't go so well for our group was research. The particular disease we piked, achondroplasia, was complicated to research in respect to protein synthesis. The cause of the disease did not really come from a change in the protein synthesis. This taught me more about the importance of research and effort. Another peak was the collaboration. Our team members got along pretty well and we were able to accomplish a lot of work, very quickly. This helped me improve my people skills. A low point for us occurred when we were creating the storyboard for the video. Some group members wanted to make it a serious video, while others wanted it to be funny. At the end, I wasn't too happy with some of the things we put in our video. This taught me about the importance of effort and compromise. There are a few things I need to improve on, though. I need to work on improving my empathetic skills. This would help me understand my group better. I also need to work on my work ethic, so my work is a reflection of who I am. This project helped me improve many skills and taught me very interesting information about proteins.