For this wonderful project, our group was assigned a genetic disease to research, and present it in front of the class. We were required to know what it is, the parts of the body it affects, the symptoms, the protein that it affects, the people who are likely to get it, any treatments or cures, and if not any interesting research being conducted. We also had to show understanding of protein synthesis.
We chose the Huntington's disease. This disease affects the brain, specifically the nerves. The symptoms include jerky movement, poor mental abilities, poor coordination, and moodiness. The disease affects the Huntington protein, which is responsible for nerve creation and long term memory storage. The normal amount is about 28 glutamine residues but in the case of Huntington's disease, there can be more than 36 glutamine residues. These are more likely through genetics, but it is still very rare (about 4-15 in every 100,000 persons of European descent). There isn't any current cures, but there are supportive cares that help with nerve receptors. We are, however, researching a cure through gene splicing.
Another thing to mention is that there are 15 different types of Huntington proteins, so the link to the 3d model is only one. Also a thing to add is that there are 50 other pages to the genetic code, but we only put one because we understand that it means nothing unless you know how to read genetic code.
We chose the Huntington's disease. This disease affects the brain, specifically the nerves. The symptoms include jerky movement, poor mental abilities, poor coordination, and moodiness. The disease affects the Huntington protein, which is responsible for nerve creation and long term memory storage. The normal amount is about 28 glutamine residues but in the case of Huntington's disease, there can be more than 36 glutamine residues. These are more likely through genetics, but it is still very rare (about 4-15 in every 100,000 persons of European descent). There isn't any current cures, but there are supportive cares that help with nerve receptors. We are, however, researching a cure through gene splicing.
Another thing to mention is that there are 15 different types of Huntington proteins, so the link to the 3d model is only one. Also a thing to add is that there are 50 other pages to the genetic code, but we only put one because we understand that it means nothing unless you know how to read genetic code.
Content:
Protein synthesis: First off, the DNA has a code, specifically for starting and stopping of transcription. The RNA polymerases split the DNA and copy it, creating a new strand, but with a slightly different code (it replaces Thymine with Uracil). The mRNA then travels to the cytoplasm, where a ribosome binds to the strand. The ribosome then reads the mRNA in groups of three called "codons". Then, an "anti-codon" links to these based on their assumed base pairs. The "anti codons" carry amino acids, which latch onto each other to create a polypeptide chain. When the code hits the stop transcript, it releases the chain. The polypeptide chain make up alpha helix and Beta sheets. These create domains, which combine to create the proteins.
Protein misfolding: This is when there is an error in the code that causes the folding to be misshapen and incorrect.
DNA: the base of life. Made up of amino acids and are the orders towards the organelles in the cells.
Translation: This is the step where the anti-codons connect to the base pairs and produce the polypeptide chain from the amino acids.
mRNA: the genetic code copy that is used to go to other parts of the cell.
Codon: the three sections in the genetic code that the ribosome reads in.
Anti-codon: the part that attaches to the code according to the base pairs.
Transcription: This is the step where the DNA is copied from the mRNA, which is released into the cell to other organelles.
Ribosome: the organelle responsible for making the polypeptide chains.
Amino acid: used to create proteins
tRNA: the RNA that is responsible for transferring, acting as messenger. This is crucial to making proteins.
Folding: the step where the Alpha helix's and the Beta sheets fold to create a protein.
Protein: The macromolecule used to
Huntington's disease: a miss type in the genetic code that creates too much glutamine residue, which messes with the nerve creation. This is due to the code causing misfolds in the protein.
Protein synthesis: First off, the DNA has a code, specifically for starting and stopping of transcription. The RNA polymerases split the DNA and copy it, creating a new strand, but with a slightly different code (it replaces Thymine with Uracil). The mRNA then travels to the cytoplasm, where a ribosome binds to the strand. The ribosome then reads the mRNA in groups of three called "codons". Then, an "anti-codon" links to these based on their assumed base pairs. The "anti codons" carry amino acids, which latch onto each other to create a polypeptide chain. When the code hits the stop transcript, it releases the chain. The polypeptide chain make up alpha helix and Beta sheets. These create domains, which combine to create the proteins.
Protein misfolding: This is when there is an error in the code that causes the folding to be misshapen and incorrect.
DNA: the base of life. Made up of amino acids and are the orders towards the organelles in the cells.
Translation: This is the step where the anti-codons connect to the base pairs and produce the polypeptide chain from the amino acids.
mRNA: the genetic code copy that is used to go to other parts of the cell.
Codon: the three sections in the genetic code that the ribosome reads in.
Anti-codon: the part that attaches to the code according to the base pairs.
Transcription: This is the step where the DNA is copied from the mRNA, which is released into the cell to other organelles.
Ribosome: the organelle responsible for making the polypeptide chains.
Amino acid: used to create proteins
tRNA: the RNA that is responsible for transferring, acting as messenger. This is crucial to making proteins.
Folding: the step where the Alpha helix's and the Beta sheets fold to create a protein.
Protein: The macromolecule used to
Huntington's disease: a miss type in the genetic code that creates too much glutamine residue, which messes with the nerve creation. This is due to the code causing misfolds in the protein.
Reflection:
I was able to stay in the same group as the last project, which was nice since they are all my friends. A lot of the same issues appeared this project, too, however. We were too indecisive over how we were going to present, which I lacked initiative and leadership to guide us to a good compromise. I also was very slow at finding good information, which is lacking in work ethic and such. However, my cooperation was very good since it was a group of my friends, which is shown when we were deciding who was going to present what parts of our presentation. I also had good work ethic; putting 100% effort into 100% of my work.
I was able to stay in the same group as the last project, which was nice since they are all my friends. A lot of the same issues appeared this project, too, however. We were too indecisive over how we were going to present, which I lacked initiative and leadership to guide us to a good compromise. I also was very slow at finding good information, which is lacking in work ethic and such. However, my cooperation was very good since it was a group of my friends, which is shown when we were deciding who was going to present what parts of our presentation. I also had good work ethic; putting 100% effort into 100% of my work.