Project Overview
In this project, we were tasked with learning about proteins and specifically protein synthesis. It was a small research project and we had to make a presentation about how a protein is made from DNA. The Central Dogma Theory explains the process and it is made up of replication, transcription, and translation. You can read more below about how these three steps work to create a functional, specialized protein. The example that we researched was hemoglobin, which is mainly responsible for oxygen transport and it is what makes blood red. However, all proteins go through the same process from DNA to a protein. The only thing that would be different is the genetic code.
Our Presentation
Content
Protein - molecules with one or more polypeptide chains(amino acid chains)
Protein synthesis - the process in which cells generate new proteins
Central Dogma - the process in which genetic information from DNA goes to messenger RNA to proteins
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid; contains all the genetic info to create proteins
RNA - a nucleic acid that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis
Codon - a group of three nucleotides that form a unit on DNA or RNA
Ribosome - an organelle that is used in the synthesizing of proteins
Replication - when DNA is copied
Transcription - the copying of the genetic code for the protein from the DNA to the mRNA
Translation - the code on the mRNA is brought to the ribisome to make an amino acid chain
Folding - the process where a polypeptide chain folds to create a fully functional protein
Protein synthesis - the process in which cells generate new proteins
Central Dogma - the process in which genetic information from DNA goes to messenger RNA to proteins
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid; contains all the genetic info to create proteins
RNA - a nucleic acid that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis
Codon - a group of three nucleotides that form a unit on DNA or RNA
Ribosome - an organelle that is used in the synthesizing of proteins
Replication - when DNA is copied
Transcription - the copying of the genetic code for the protein from the DNA to the mRNA
Translation - the code on the mRNA is brought to the ribisome to make an amino acid chain
Folding - the process where a polypeptide chain folds to create a fully functional protein
Reflection
Even though I don't find protein synthesis to be the most exciting thing, I think that this project was still valuable. One peak, or something that went well, was our group's work ethic and efficiency. I believe that we worked very well as a group and we got it all done on time. We weren't scrambling to get it all done at the end. One pit, or something that could've gone better, was the amount of data that we presented. We didn't go super in depth, which may have not fully shown our understanding of the subject. I feel like we could've learned and presented more about proteins. Another peak was the fact that we actually learned a lot. Even though we could've learned even more, we still learned a lot more from this project than previous projects, just because it was very new to me. Lastly, another pit was the lack of motivation from our group to present it. I feel like we could've been more enthusiastic or decided that we cared more about the subject. Overall, this was a nice short project that was definitely worth it learning wise.
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