Protein to a Disease
Project Description: In this project my team and I were given the task of researching a disease caused by protein malfunction. The disease we decided to research was Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which is a degenerative brain disorder that surfaces later in life. We conveyed our information on a poster because of the simplicity and ease of presenting.
Concepts:
- Codon: a sequence of 3 nucleotides on the ribosome that are read during protein synthesis to create polypeptide chains; this relates to the project because an error can occur during this process causing a protein related disease.
- Anticodon: a sequence of 3 nucleotides on the mRNA that pair with the codons on the ribosome to create a chain of amino acids; this relates to our project because if these misread then an error can also occur.
- RNA Polymerase: the enzyme that opens the DNA double helix and allows for the gene to be read; this relates to our project because this is the beginning stage of protein synthesis which leads to disease if a malfunction occurs.
- Polypeptide chain: a chain of amino acids that link together to form a protein; this relates to our project because the resulting protein can cause disease.
- Proteins: one of four macromolecules and is used to build and develop muscle; this related to our project because if it is corrupted it causes disease.
- Prion: a deformed protein found in the brain; this is related to our project because this is the protein that causes Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
- Degenerative: a trending decline; this is related to our project because Cruetzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a degenerative brain disorder.
- Amino acids: a simple organic compound; this related to our project because these are combined to create proteins.
- mRNA: (messenger RNA) is created during transcription and carries a portion of the DNA to be processed; this is related to our project because it carries the wrong code then a disease will occur.
- tRNA: (transport RNA) helps decode the messenger RNA and carries amino acids to the ribosome; this is related to our project because if an error occurs then the organism will become diseased.
- Protein Folding: the process in which a polypeptide chain turns into a protein; this related to our project because an error occurring during this process will cause a protein related disease.
- Transcription: begins with an RNA polymerase enzyme attaching to a gene segment on a DNA strand and creating mRNA. The mRNA then leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm; this related to our project because an error occurring during this process will cause a protein related disease.
- Translation: takes place when the mRNA binds to a ribosome. tRNA then, carrying amino acids, attaches to the mRNA via the matching codons and anticodons it then passes the amino acids along until a polypeptidechain is built. The chain then folds and becomes a protein.; this related to our project because an error occurring during this process will cause a protein related disease.
- Protein Synthesis: the above definitions are all related to protein synthesis, this is the process of creating a protein which consists of the two steps of transcription and translation; this related to our project because an error occurring during this process will cause a protein related disease.