Protein+Synthesis

__**Genes and Proteins Activity**__

The main function of genes is to control the production of proteins in an organism’s cells. Living things are made mostly of proteins. Proteins also carry out and regulate the many activities in living things. Specifically, a gene is a segment of DNA on a chromosome that contains the code to make a specific protein. The shape of DNA is ladder-like and the code contained in the DNA is the order of the bases making up the “steps” of this shape. Each chromosome is a long strand of DNA that contains 500 to 2,000 genes.

Making Proteins: a) In the cell’s nucleus, the code for a protein is built into a piece of Messenger RNA off of a section of DNA. b) The mRNA brings the code instructions to the ribosome where the protein will be made. c) Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are assembled like links in a chain. d) The code for a protein is the order of the amino acids. The bases on the mRNA determine this order. e) Transfer RNA brings amino acids to the correct three-letter code on the mRNA at the ribosome. f) The three bases on various tRNAs are matched up with bases on the mRNA three at a time according to the key below. g) The amino acids are connected in the order of the three letter codes at the ribosome one at a time making a protein. Base Matching Key: [|Making Proteins Animation]
 * A is matched with a U ||  ||   ||   || G || C || A || T || C || G ||
 * T is matched with a A ||  ||   ||   || ↓ || ↓ || ↓ || ↓ || ↓ || ↓ ||
 * C is matched with a G ||  ||   ||   || C || G || U || A || G || C ||
 * G is matched with a C ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||

A paper model can be used to show the process described above.

DNA model

mRna model

tRNA model

Amino acid model

Ribosome model



Steps to manipulate the paper model: (The following was demonstrated.) 1. Fold the DNA model in half between the letters and unfold it. 2. Place the DNA model so the letters are right side up. 3. Place the mRNA below the fold and on top of the bottom letters of the DNA model. 4. Use the matching key to write the correct base-letters on the mRNA model. (Transcription) 5. A chain of amino acids will be assembled from the letters on the mRNA model using letters on the tRNA models. 6. Put one amino acid model with the tRNA model that will transfer it to the mRNA. Pair them up using the abbreviations. 7. Next find the tRNA that has three letters that match the first three letters on the mRNA according to the key. 8. Move this tRNA with the amino acid to the first three letters on the mRNA and line the letters up. (Translation) 9. Remove the tRNA, but leave the amino acid behind. This is the first amino acid of the protein. 10. Find the tRNA that has three letters that match the second three letters on the mRNA according to the key. 11. Move this tRNA with its amino acid to the second three letters on the mRNA and line the letters up. 12. Find the tRNA that has three letters that match the next three letters on the mRNA according to the key. 13. Move this tRNA with its amino acid to the second three letters on the mRNA and line the letters up. 14. Repeat steps 12 & 13 three more times to complete the protein.

Finding the word or words coded into the DNA to see if your protein is correct. Find the abbreviation for the first amino acid in your protein. Write down the single letter in the column to the right of the abbreviation. Find and write down the single letters for the five other amino acids in your protein. The letters should make one big word or three little words depending on the model you uses.

After proteins are made they fold into the shape required to do their job. (Structure is related to function.) https://fold.it/portal/info/about

How might RNA be used to make cells create their own medicine? http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/us-health-biotech-messenger-molecule-idUSKCN0T114420151112

**What do proteins do?** Proteins are involved in almost all of the processes going on inside your body: they break down food to power your muscles, send signals through your brain that control the body, and transport nutrients through your blood. Many proteins act as enzymes, meaning they catalyze (speed up) chemical reactions that wouldn't take place otherwise. But other proteins power muscle contractions, or act as chemical messages inside the body, or hundreds of other things. Here's a small sample of what proteins do: Proteins are present in all living things, even plants, bacteria, and viruses. Some organisms have proteins that give them their special characteristics:
 *  [|Amylase] starts the process of breaking down starch from food into forms the body can use.
 *  [|Alcohol dehydrogenase] transforms alcohol from beer/wine/liquor into a non-toxic form that the body uses for food.
 *  [|Hemoglobin] carries oxygen in our blood.
 *  [|Fibrin] forms a scab to protect cuts as they heal.
 *  [|Collagen] gives structure and support to our skin, tendons, and even bones.
 *  [|Actin] is one of the major proteins in our muscles.
 *  [|Growth hormone] helps regulate the growth of children into adults.
 *  [|Potassium channels] help send signals through the brain and other nerve cells.
 *  [|Insulin] regulates the amount of sugar in the blood and is used to treat diabetes.
 *  [|Photosystem I] is a collection of proteins in plants that captures sunlight for photosynthesis.
 *  [|Luciferase] catalyzes the chemical reaction that makes fireflies glow.
 *  [|Hemagglutinin] helps the influenza virus invade our cells.