Purpose The purpose of this project was to research and learn the protein synthesis a disease. My group chose Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD).
Concepts Protein synthesis - A biological process where individual cells build their specific proteins. This process includes DNA and their different functions with RNA
Codon/Anticodon - Contains codons that code for a peptide sequence.
Polymerse - constructs an mRNA copy of template DNA.
Protein folding - The process where a protein acquires its necessary 3-dimensional structure, a formation that is usually biologically functional.
Transcription - The first step of gene expression where a particular part of DNA is copied into RNA.
Translation - mRNA, transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomes work together to produce protein.
Primary structure - A sequence of amino acids in a polysaccharide chain, held together by peptide bonds.
Tertiary structure - A single peptide chain, with one or more protein secondary structures.
Quaternary structure - An arrangement of multiple folded protein subunits within a multi-subunit complex.
Alpha helix - Found in the secondary structure of protein. A coiled ribbon
Beta sheet - Regular secondary protein structure. Made up of beta strands (B-strand) connected laterally by at least two or three backbone hydrogen bonds, constructing a usually twisted, pleated sheet. Vocabulary
Amino acids - An organic compound containing carboxyl (—COOH) and an amino (—NH2) group.
RNA - Ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid consistent in all living cells. Its role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins, in some viruses RNA carries the genetic information rather than DNA.
My protein - The protein that prions are made of (PrP) is found all throughout the body, including in healthy people and animals. However, PrP is also found in infectious material and has a different structure, resistant to proteases. These enzymes break down protein.
Reflection Overall, I really enjoyed this project, I Learned a lot and became interested in a topic I never before considered. My group struggled when it came to staying on task and at times would become anxious about finishing on time. We also struggled with agreeing on each others ideas. In the end, we worked through the hardships and ended up producing a project we were very content with.