Proteins and How They're Made
In this project we learned the steps on how our own DNA codes itself to create a protein. We learned the steps in Protein synthesis; starting from it running through the RNA polymerase and into the folding of amino acid chains. Our assignment was to choose a specific protein and find out how it is created.
My group chose Hemoglobin, the main component in our blood, for our protein. Hemoglobin can be seen through many models and displays. These models helped us learn incredible information about this protein. Yet, the main goal was to find out how it is made. We researched the process on how it is made and tracked it's journey through transcription and translation. This long process is unique to every protein, but in general has similar steps for each protein. All that changes is the specific coding for each protein.
Reflection
This project was a lot of new information we had to learn. Although it was difficult to understand at first, I now know so much about Protein synthesis. It involved a lot of online research that allowed me to gain more knowledge on a topic I had never thought of before. I realized how complex each process in our body truly is. From something I thought was going to be so simple, like creating proteins, to learning that it was way more intricate than I thought it was, is really eye opening. This helped me accept the little and difficult processes in life.
Over the course of this project I learned that I should improve upon my patience. Throughout this project part of me wanted to just give up and stop trying to figure out what I needed to learn. I feel as if I am getting better throughout the year, but it is still something I should be doing better. I neeed to work on this so I can progress in this subject. Next time, I will give myself more time and chances to understand new material. One more thing I should work on is my focus. When doing projects, there are going to be times when you get distracted; however, I need to work on cutting down the amount of times I become distracted in my group. Through the negatives, I also learned that when I am motivated to work, I can work very efficiently and get things done. This helped me in the times when we really needed to finish the projects. One thing I believe I did really well was leading the group. I think I helped keep my group in the right direction and helping people get equal work done.
My group and I worked very well together, and we all helped eachother with our tasks. As a team we had fun and were proficient in our work.
Over the course of this project I learned that I should improve upon my patience. Throughout this project part of me wanted to just give up and stop trying to figure out what I needed to learn. I feel as if I am getting better throughout the year, but it is still something I should be doing better. I neeed to work on this so I can progress in this subject. Next time, I will give myself more time and chances to understand new material. One more thing I should work on is my focus. When doing projects, there are going to be times when you get distracted; however, I need to work on cutting down the amount of times I become distracted in my group. Through the negatives, I also learned that when I am motivated to work, I can work very efficiently and get things done. This helped me in the times when we really needed to finish the projects. One thing I believe I did really well was leading the group. I think I helped keep my group in the right direction and helping people get equal work done.
My group and I worked very well together, and we all helped eachother with our tasks. As a team we had fun and were proficient in our work.
Homeostasis In Our Bodies
Homeostasis is the way our bodies stay stable. Without it we would be an unbalanced mess, and couldn't survive. Our body is constantly using homeostasis and you probably don't even realize it . For example, homeostasis regulates your temperature by expanding and constricting your blood vessels when it is hot and cold. But, in our project we specifically researched how our kidneys help regulate homeostasis.
Our first step was to research homeostasis in the kidneys. We created an experiment where we recorded the frequency and color of our urine. We researched and found that urinating itself is a process of homeostasis, and we ran with the idea. This gave us some interesting results. You can see the entire project overview, experiments, and discussion in the slide above.
Reflection
This project was fun because I really enjoyed my group. We worked very well together and it helped us create a solid product. My group and I spent a lot of time and work into creating a poster that accurately displayed all of our results. As a group we handled all of our newfound information very well, we never had to worry about not finishing on time because we managed our time well. That is one thing my group and I did very well, we planned efficiently and worked to meet each goal. The second thing I feel I did very well was being organized. I felt like I new where everything was, and I was able to neatly place each "box" on the poster. This really helped me succeed because I didn't have to worry about losing information, or repeating things.
Again, there are always things we should improve on, so we can grow. One thing I feel I struggled with the most was how compromising. Sometimes, I just wanted tojust get things done in "my way" and not even ask if there were any other suggestions. This didn't cause too much conflict, but still should be improved. Another thing I had trouble with was not getting off task with other little projects. I would sometimes drift from the goal of the day, and I need to strive to reach and exceed my goals.
Again, there are always things we should improve on, so we can grow. One thing I feel I struggled with the most was how compromising. Sometimes, I just wanted tojust get things done in "my way" and not even ask if there were any other suggestions. This didn't cause too much conflict, but still should be improved. Another thing I had trouble with was not getting off task with other little projects. I would sometimes drift from the goal of the day, and I need to strive to reach and exceed my goals.
Concepts for Protein and Hemoglobin
Nucleus: where DNA is found, and the beginning location for protein synthesis.
Ribosomes: where an amino acid polypetide chain is created from a mRNA sequence in protein synthesis.
Mutations: a change in something's DNA because of a mistake in the coding. Can be harmful, positive, or neutral.
DNA: the carrier of genetic knowledge, contains chromosomes.
Central Dogma: the description of protein synthesis, DNA going to mRNA into a protein.
Nucleotide: a phosphate group that forms a nucleic acid.
Nucleic acid: a substance that contains several nucleotides in a group.
Amino Acid: a compound that forms a protein when folded together, the building blocks of life
RNA Polymerase: an enzyme that brings transcription RNA to a DNA strand as it unzips in the first steps of transcription.
RNA: ribonucleic acid that is present in all humans.
Polypetide chain: a polymer that has amino acids strung together in the beginnings of a protein.
Protein Synthesis: the process in which a DNA codes for a protein. It involves the three steps of transcription, translation, and folding.
Homeostasis: The way our bodies maintain stability and balance. This keeps our bodies healthy with constantly fluctuating environments.
Hemoglobin: The main protein that makes up our blood. This was the protein we researched.
Transcription: The process that occurs in the nucleus, and turns the DNA into mRNA.
Tranlsation: the second step in protein synthesis. In the cytoplasm/ribosome, the mRNA is turned into tRNA and then into a chain of amino acids.
Hormones: a regulator that is transported throughout the body, helps hemeostasis.
mRNA: messenger RNA that is created in transcription and carries specific codes for the body.
tRNA: transfer RNA that is created in translation. It connects it's anti-codons with codons in the amino acids to create a polypetide chain.
Codon: 3 nucleiotides that create a unit of genetic information.
Anti-codon:3 nucleotides found adjacent on the tRNA strand.
Cytoplasm: The jelly like material inside a cell that holds all the other organelles. Also where transcription takes place.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: an organelle that folds a protein.
Kidney: an organ that filters out toxins through your pee. It regualtes salt and sodium levels, and cleans your blood.
Urine: pee that comes from the kidneys.
Ribosomes: where an amino acid polypetide chain is created from a mRNA sequence in protein synthesis.
Mutations: a change in something's DNA because of a mistake in the coding. Can be harmful, positive, or neutral.
DNA: the carrier of genetic knowledge, contains chromosomes.
Central Dogma: the description of protein synthesis, DNA going to mRNA into a protein.
Nucleotide: a phosphate group that forms a nucleic acid.
Nucleic acid: a substance that contains several nucleotides in a group.
Amino Acid: a compound that forms a protein when folded together, the building blocks of life
RNA Polymerase: an enzyme that brings transcription RNA to a DNA strand as it unzips in the first steps of transcription.
RNA: ribonucleic acid that is present in all humans.
Polypetide chain: a polymer that has amino acids strung together in the beginnings of a protein.
Protein Synthesis: the process in which a DNA codes for a protein. It involves the three steps of transcription, translation, and folding.
Homeostasis: The way our bodies maintain stability and balance. This keeps our bodies healthy with constantly fluctuating environments.
Hemoglobin: The main protein that makes up our blood. This was the protein we researched.
Transcription: The process that occurs in the nucleus, and turns the DNA into mRNA.
Tranlsation: the second step in protein synthesis. In the cytoplasm/ribosome, the mRNA is turned into tRNA and then into a chain of amino acids.
Hormones: a regulator that is transported throughout the body, helps hemeostasis.
mRNA: messenger RNA that is created in transcription and carries specific codes for the body.
tRNA: transfer RNA that is created in translation. It connects it's anti-codons with codons in the amino acids to create a polypetide chain.
Codon: 3 nucleiotides that create a unit of genetic information.
Anti-codon:3 nucleotides found adjacent on the tRNA strand.
Cytoplasm: The jelly like material inside a cell that holds all the other organelles. Also where transcription takes place.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: an organelle that folds a protein.
Kidney: an organ that filters out toxins through your pee. It regualtes salt and sodium levels, and cleans your blood.
Urine: pee that comes from the kidneys.