Overview
This lab was focused on how protein synthesis affects a particular disease, my group focusing on Parkinson's. The process was one that included several steps in order for us to fully understand such complex and intricate processes within our bodies. Learning about protein synthesis was the first step, a topic that required extensive research and left our group rather confused with a basic understanding of the subject matter. We then began studying Parkinson's overall before learning about how protein can fold improperly and lead to Parkinson's. All of the information was displayed on a digital poster our group created to later present to the class. While even the top scientists still don't know the exact answer to how or why this happens, this data led to a better understanding of the process of protein synthesis, as well as realizing how truly awful a disease Parkinson's can be for so many.
Content
Nucleus: a dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells, typically a single rounded structure bounded by a double membrane, containing the genetic material // the DNA within the nucleus is an essential part of protein synthesis, as the nucleus is the location for the transcription part of the process
DNA: (deoxyribonucleic acid) carrier of genetic information made up of nucleotides and is the main constituent of chromosomes // DNA is a main part of protein synthesis and the imbalance of alpha synucleins and Beta sheets
Protein: an organic compound consisting of one or more chains of amino acids that are necessary for bodily function, particularly structural component and as enzymes to move chemical reactions forward // We studied this product of the protein synthesis process and how the mutation of this process and end result can lead to disease
Transcription: takes place in the nucleus described by the central dogma by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA) when one strand of the DNA double helix is used as a template for RNA polymerase // first stage of protein synthesis that results in protein
Translation: transcribed mRNA attached to a ribosome in the cytoplasm while the tRNA (transmitter) connects amino acids and the proper anti-codons to the mRNA's codons directed by color to form a long polypeptide chain // second part of protein synthesis that leads to functional protein
Folding: third stage of protein synthesis that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (rough or smooth) and in the Golgi apparatus where the polypeptide chain immediately starts folding into the formation of a secondary structure, alpha-helix and Beta sheets, determined by the amino acid's sequence to then fold into a tertiary structure, determined by whether the structure is hydrophobic or hydrophelic. The tertiary structure may contain different domains and may form a quaternary structure, which is several polypeptide chains interacting together. These structures of alpha-synuclein and Beta sheets form domains that all combine to form the functioning protein // We studied this particular part of protein synthesis because the origin of Parkinson's disease is the imbalance of alpha-synuclein and Beta sheets
RNA Polymerase: an enzyme that is responsible for making RNA from a DNA template needed in all cells to complete the process of protein synthesis // necessary to produce protein
mRNA: During the transcription process, a single strand of DNA is decoded by RNA polymerase, and mRNA is synthesized, a strand of nucleotides known as ribonucleic acid, and is single-stranded // the messenger subtype of RNA is necessary in the protein synthesis process
Codon: a sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule // attaching to mRNA during protein synthesis to carry amino acids
Anti-Codon: a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA. // also necessary for protein synthesis
Ribosome: a complex molecular machine, found within all living cells, that serves as the site of biological protein synthesis to link amino acids together in the order specified by messenger RNA molecules
Amino Acid: simple organic compounds that form peptide chain during the translation stage in protein synthesis, attaching to anti-codons and are made up of carboxyl and amino groups // building blocks of protein
tRNA: transfer RNA that carry amino acids in the cytoplasm to the ribosome for the translation stage of protein synthesis to be made into a polypeptide // carrier in protein synthesis
Polypeptide Chain: a single chain of amino acids held together by amino bonds // folded to make a protein
DNA: (deoxyribonucleic acid) carrier of genetic information made up of nucleotides and is the main constituent of chromosomes // DNA is a main part of protein synthesis and the imbalance of alpha synucleins and Beta sheets
Protein: an organic compound consisting of one or more chains of amino acids that are necessary for bodily function, particularly structural component and as enzymes to move chemical reactions forward // We studied this product of the protein synthesis process and how the mutation of this process and end result can lead to disease
Transcription: takes place in the nucleus described by the central dogma by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA) when one strand of the DNA double helix is used as a template for RNA polymerase // first stage of protein synthesis that results in protein
Translation: transcribed mRNA attached to a ribosome in the cytoplasm while the tRNA (transmitter) connects amino acids and the proper anti-codons to the mRNA's codons directed by color to form a long polypeptide chain // second part of protein synthesis that leads to functional protein
Folding: third stage of protein synthesis that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (rough or smooth) and in the Golgi apparatus where the polypeptide chain immediately starts folding into the formation of a secondary structure, alpha-helix and Beta sheets, determined by the amino acid's sequence to then fold into a tertiary structure, determined by whether the structure is hydrophobic or hydrophelic. The tertiary structure may contain different domains and may form a quaternary structure, which is several polypeptide chains interacting together. These structures of alpha-synuclein and Beta sheets form domains that all combine to form the functioning protein // We studied this particular part of protein synthesis because the origin of Parkinson's disease is the imbalance of alpha-synuclein and Beta sheets
RNA Polymerase: an enzyme that is responsible for making RNA from a DNA template needed in all cells to complete the process of protein synthesis // necessary to produce protein
mRNA: During the transcription process, a single strand of DNA is decoded by RNA polymerase, and mRNA is synthesized, a strand of nucleotides known as ribonucleic acid, and is single-stranded // the messenger subtype of RNA is necessary in the protein synthesis process
Codon: a sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule // attaching to mRNA during protein synthesis to carry amino acids
Anti-Codon: a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA. // also necessary for protein synthesis
Ribosome: a complex molecular machine, found within all living cells, that serves as the site of biological protein synthesis to link amino acids together in the order specified by messenger RNA molecules
Amino Acid: simple organic compounds that form peptide chain during the translation stage in protein synthesis, attaching to anti-codons and are made up of carboxyl and amino groups // building blocks of protein
tRNA: transfer RNA that carry amino acids in the cytoplasm to the ribosome for the translation stage of protein synthesis to be made into a polypeptide // carrier in protein synthesis
Polypeptide Chain: a single chain of amino acids held together by amino bonds // folded to make a protein
Gantt Chart
Digital Poster on Parkinson's Disease
Reflection
For me personally, this project was one that was rather difficult in terms of covering such a complex subject in such a short period of time, but with the help of my wonderful group, I felt the presentation and learning process was one that truly helped. One aspect of the project was a new method to time management for all group members, the Gantt chart, that is designed to designate tasks and have a specific timeline of when each part will be completed. For our group, this chart proved to be rather ineffective, due to our already strong work ethic and unexpected leftover time after finishing more quickly than planned.
One specific component of the project that I felt we did well was complete participation of the group, all members helping one another and doing what needed to be done for the most part. Furthermore, the Gantt chart improved this by giving deadlines individually, forcing all to be productive and use their time wisely. Another aspect of this project that I personally felt I did well was working out what I found to be confusing or subject matter I did not understand. For example, the process of protein synthesis was still a little unclear, so I asked other classmates questions, read online articles and watched educational videos with visuals to understand.
However, there were a few parts of the project that could have been improved upon. One element that I found myself struggling with still after all personal research was the process of protein synthesis, the idea still a little confusing to me. While I worked hard in an attempt to understand, the course of the project still led to many questions and unknowns. Another factor that our group had a difficult time accomplishing was using the Gantt chart to the design's fullest, hardly referencing it after the first few days. Overall, the project went really well, both for me individually and as a group!
One specific component of the project that I felt we did well was complete participation of the group, all members helping one another and doing what needed to be done for the most part. Furthermore, the Gantt chart improved this by giving deadlines individually, forcing all to be productive and use their time wisely. Another aspect of this project that I personally felt I did well was working out what I found to be confusing or subject matter I did not understand. For example, the process of protein synthesis was still a little unclear, so I asked other classmates questions, read online articles and watched educational videos with visuals to understand.
However, there were a few parts of the project that could have been improved upon. One element that I found myself struggling with still after all personal research was the process of protein synthesis, the idea still a little confusing to me. While I worked hard in an attempt to understand, the course of the project still led to many questions and unknowns. Another factor that our group had a difficult time accomplishing was using the Gantt chart to the design's fullest, hardly referencing it after the first few days. Overall, the project went really well, both for me individually and as a group!