Translation Wrap Up

I see that we have some very different levels of understanding going on with Transcription and Translation.  I felt that it was worth the time to take one more day of going over both of these processes.  I passsed back the RNA and Gene Expression Open notes quiz and went over all the answers.  After that we looked a a few multiple choice daily questions that lead us into our next discussion.  WHAT does this have to do with us.  Well..... lets see here

DQ #1:  A change in the order of DNA bases that codes for a respiratory protein will most likely cause
C.  A change in the sequence of amino acids determined by the gene.
**** Remember - DNA provides instructions, if that DNA is "messed up" the RNA that it codes for will be messed up and ULTIMATELY what will happen is it will be read differently and the sequence of amino acids will change.  This is a little introduction to how mutations work.

DQ #2:  Even though each body cell is an individual contains the same DNA, the functions of muscle cells and liver cells are NOT the same because
D.  Liver cells use different genes than muscle cells
***The DNA is EVERY one of our cells is exactly the same (it was the same 46 chromosomes that were united in the zygote during fertilization).  Gene expression though is controled by a specific set of factors

DQ#3:  The cells that make up the skin of an individual have some functions different from teh cells that make up the liver because
D.  Different Parts of Genetic instructions are used in different types of cells.

After going over the quiz and daily questions I had you watch the following clip that sums up both transcription and translation.  This is a good visual to help you understand how and where all of this is occuring in our cells.

Translation Activity

Today we went through the Translation models.  I KNOW this is confusing right now.  Hopefully between the notes, the activities and the couple clips I show this will start to set in your brains.  Don't get too frustrated right now if you feel like you are lost.  This is not easy stuff - but just like most of these chapters, after a couple activities it all starts to click!!  Here were today's daily questions:

Wednesday April 25^th

*During translation the mRNA is read in sets of 3 nucleotide bases known as a Codons

*Each of these codes for a specific Amino Acid

*The molecule that brings each amino acid into the ribosome is known as tRNA.

*Each chain of amino acid starts with the codon AUG, which codes for Methionine

Then we worked through the models.  Check out these pics with descriptions if you missed class today.

Translation in a bag

We have the Ribosome (red) the mRNA (white strand) and
the tRNA (blue) containing the anti-codon and transferring
in the appropriate amino acid (methionine)

The next tRNA brings in the next amino acid

The amino acids form a
peptide bond and the
first tRNA is released
into the cytoplasm

The Chain continues to grow each time the new
amino acid being added to the chain

This will continue until......

STOP
(Hammer Time)

Once a STOP codon is reached the
Amino acid chain is released and you
have just created a Protein!

I then had you write out your entire mRNA sequence and the
amino acid sequence that resulted from it......

Open notes quiz tomorrow over transcription and translation.  We will wrap this up tomorrow after that and have our normal DQQ on Friday.  HANG IN THERE - Not much more and the year will be done!!!!

Intro to Translation

We have made it through transcription and now will step into Translation.  The daily questions for today did a good job of wrapping this up and leading us in to translation.

Tuesday April 24^th

At the end of transcription what SPECIFIC type of molecule has been made? mRNA (messenger RNA because it is carrying the "message" that DNA has to be "read)

What happens to the DNA molecule that coded for it? It zips back up again and remains unchanged.

Where will this product now go? The mRNA will leave the nucleus, head out to the cytoplasm and eventually make its way into the ribosomes.

What PROCESS will it now go through? Translation

What will now be created? Proteins (a Chain of amino Acids)

Beginning of Notes on Translation

We then started into the notes on Translation.  If looking on Edline for these - you will download the Transcription/Translation notes and scroll through until you hit Translation.

We will be doing an activity to show you how translation happens and also will have an open notes quiz on THURSDAY that sums up transcription and translation.  KEEP UP WITH THE NOTES!!!!!

Overview of Translation (Keep in mind - there are NOT more than one ribosome, it is showing
how the ribosome moves down the mRNA molecule

Transcription Wrap Up

Today we started with the following daily Questions and explanations

Monday April 23^rd

*The Process by which DNA is coded into RNA is known as Transcription

*In Eukaryotic cells this occurs in the nucleus

*The place on the DNA where this process begins is known as a Promotor Site

*What Enzyme attaches itself this part of the DNA? RNA polymerase

*Where does this enzyme STOP on the DNA molecule? Site of Termination

I then showed you how and where transcription occurs

The rest of the period we worked on a handout wrapping up transcription and another that takes a look into translation which we will start in to tomorrow!!

How to Extract your OWN DNA!!!

Just found this video of how you can extract and view your own DNA!!!  Take a look :)

Introduction to Gene Expression

Now that we actually had a chance to SEE DNA - we will move into what it actually DOES.  Just looking at DNA doesn't really tell us much about its importance.  We saw that in fact it's not the most glamorous thing to look at.  So HOW do we possible get from that "snotty" looking stuff to getting ALL of our traits from it?!?!  That's the next part of this chapter.  The daily questions for today began with some basics of this

Thursday April 19^th

DNA ultimately codes for what organic molecule? Protein

The place in the cell where this organic molecule is made is known as the Ribosomes

In order to do this, another set of instructions needs to be made, the name of this molecule is RNA

We then started into the RNA and Gene Expression notes. (Check Edline)

The start of this was just a description of RNA and how it differs from DNA.  This is something we discussed in general at the beginning of the chapter but will now move into more detail.

Slide from today's notes

Here is a clip from iTunes U that also discusses these differences 

Don't forget DQQ tomorrow - we will start off class with a daily question then take the quiz!!

Extracting DNA from Strawberries!!!

What you need to do this at home!!  Strawberries, Salt, Dishwashing detergent, a funnel, and rubbing alcohol!!

First you Grabbed your Bag of strawberries

Today we had fun times extracting DNA from Strawberries!  Why would we use strawberries?  Well, the nice thing about strawberries (other than they are good to eat and smell better than peas which is the other option?!?!)  Is that breaking through the cell wall/cell membrane and nuclear membrane of strawberries is fairly easy with a simple DNA extraction buffer.  Ripe strawberries also produce enzymes (Pectinases and cellulases) which help in breaking down cell walls.  ALSO - Strawberries are Octoploid - meaning they have EIGHT of every chromosome. (which = LOADS of DNA to extract).  So here is a run down and pics of todays lab!!

Next you grabbed a beaker and filled it with
10ml of DNA extraction Buffer 

The DNA Extraction buffer consisted of Dishwashing detergent
salt and water.  the detergent contains enzymes that help to break apart the lipid bilayer (remember lipids are fats and the cell membrane is a made up of fats).

Mash up the strawberries!!

Add the DNA Extraction buffer and smash again!!

Filter the mixture through the coffee filter
to capture just the juice

Slowly add the Alcohol to the top

You can start to see the DNA pulling out of
the mixture and into the Alcohol.

And I present to you.... STRAWBERRY DNA!!!!!

A Day's worth of DNA

Open Notes Quiz and Finishing up DNA models

Today we started off class with the open notes quiz on the structure of DNA and DNA replication.  The rest of the period was spend finishing up your DNA model's drawings and descriptions.  With the last couple minutes left in class I so kindly showed you the following YouTube video.  I KNOW how much you love to hear all that we have learned in the form of songs/raps.... so here ya go ;)

Some of you then were SOOOO impressed with this one that i showed you the beginning of another.  The next thing we will be moving into (after we extract DNA from strawberries) is transcription and translation.  The first part of this you have learned about.  As soon as it starts talking about mRNA though....wait until Thursday and you will see what that is all about!!!

DNA Replication Activity Day

Today we started off with the following Daily Question looking at the difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Replication.

Monday April 16^th

How does Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic DNA replication differ?

In the number of replication points. 

How many points of replication do prokaryotic cells have?

Just one - remember, Prokaryotic cells DNA is found inside the nucleus in a single circular loop.  This loop will open up in one spot and proceed in either direction until they meet again.  They will then split from each other.

About how many points of replication do eukaryotic cells have?

MANY - (About 100)  Remember, Eukaryotic DNA is found inside the nucleus in the form of many chromosomes.  If each Chromosome started at one side and went the other it would take over 30 days for all the DNA to replicate.  We know that our cells divide much quicker than that, so that is why it is so important to have many points of replication.

The arrows show how there are MANY different points of replication in Eukaryotic DNA.

By having more points of replication does DNA replication happen slower or faster? Faster

We then worked with the K'nex Models and went through DNA replication.  First I had you build your original DNA molecule from last week.

Making Original DNA model

After reviewing all the different parts of the DNA molecule (deoxyribose, Phosphate groups, hydrogen bonds, nucleotide bases) I had you go through DNA replication.

 First you acted as DNA Helicase by Unzipping the nucleotides by breaking the Hydrogen bonds.

Breaking Hydrogen bonds (Acting as DNA Helicase)

You then acted as DNA polymerase by adding new nucleotide bases to either side.

New Bases are added to BOTH sides

Adding new bases - playing the role of DNA Polymerase 

At the end of replication you had two identical DNA molecules.  Each had one "old" strand - or template strand and one "new" strand or daughter strand.

Two exact DNA molecules each with one old (gray) and one New (yellow) strand

Note how the Old of one is the New of the other and vise versa

Ultimately what you just created was "sister chromatids"  that will now allow the cell to go through mitosis. (remember that the chromosomes line up in the middle and pull apart leaving you with two genetically identical nuclei and then two identical cells form after cytokinesis.)

Pics from the week!!!

Today was carnival day.... which meant a lot of people missing! But alas - we still chugged along!  I started you off with a couple daily questions about DNA replication BEFORE we took the Daily Question quiz.  Here they are!!

Friday April 13^th

There are two enzymes involved in DNA Replication.  The first one DNA Helicase unwinds and “unzips” the double helix.

The second one DNA Polymerase adds new nucleotide bases at the replication fork.  It also acts as a “Proofreader”.

At the end of DNA replication we have two identical DNA molecules.  How are these two molecules related? (This is the reason that DNA replication is known to be “semi conservative”) Each of the two DNA molecules has One Old strand (template strand) and one New Strand 

We then went over it and those classes that did not finish the notes yesterday finished those off.  We will work with DNA models again on Monday.  There were just too many people missing today to try and work with them!  Here are some pics from earlier this week when you DID get a chance to work with them!!

Adding Nucleotide bases to the Sugar phosphate Backbone

Twisted into a "double helix"

Finished Structure

DNA Replication

Today we started into DNA replication.  We will continue to work with our DNA K'nex models tomorrow and monday.  We started the day with the following Daily Questions:

Thursday April 12^th

A. The kind of Organic molecule it is

            B.  The Sugar found in it

            C.  The Nitrogen bases that make it up

(Use the above to answer the two questions below)

The “D” of DNA stands for which part?  B - The kind of sugar found in it (remember - the D stands for deoxyribose which is the 5 carbon sugar found in the backbone of the molecule)         

The “NA” part of DNA stands for which part? A.  The kind of organic molecule it is.   (NA stands for Nucleic Acid which is an organic molecule)

*Before a cell can go through division what two things has to happen to the DNA?

First it COPIES itself and then condenses.  (Today we got in to the Copying part of this)

After that most classes got through most of the notes that are posted on Edline of DNA replication.

I mentioned WHY you would even care about this!?!?!?  Just like with cell division (mitosis) the process itself seemed "dumb" to learn but...... then we talked about when cell division goes WRONG and we end up with Cancer.  Same applies here.  Understanding the structure of DNA and how it replicates seems "boring" right now.... but this will lead into a much more interesting and relevant topic of when DNA replication goes WRONG.  This is how we get mutations and we have already talked about what the effects of those can be.  So hold on... this will all start to make sense soon!!!

ALSO:  My plan is for next week to extract DNA from Strawberries.  Like the Egg lab, this is usually a class favorite.  Here is your incentive!!  You will ONLY be able to participate in the lab if you receive a B or higher on the next Open notes quiz!!  That SHOULDN'T be a problem if you are keeping up with class!!!

DON'T FORGET Our DQQ tomorrow!!!!

DNA Structure Daily Question and Activity

Today we went over our notes about the structure of DNA and used Knex models to build a DNA model.  Our daily Questions are below

Wednesday April 11^th

What are the three main parts that DNA is made up of? (What are the three parts of a nucleotide)

 Sugar phosphate backbone made up of Deoxyribose and a phosphate group attached to this are nitrogen bases

How do the 4 different nitrogenous bases pair up with each other?

 Adenine-Thymine (A-T)

Guanine - Cytosine (G-C)

Given the following Strand of DNA, please tell me what the complementary strand would be.

ATTGGCTCGGA

TAACCGAGCCT

THIS IS THE KEY TO WHAT EACH PART OF YOUR MODELS REPRESENTED

It's all downhill from here guys!!!!

You know as well as I that after Easter break the rest of the year FLIES!!  But.... Hold on tight because  we still have a LOT to do!

HOLD ON!!!!!!

We just finished up our chapter on heredity and now are moving into seeing how we actually GET the traits that we talked about during the last chapter.  Today was an introduction to the structure of DNA.  The daily questions are below

Tuesday April 10^th

What does the term DNA stand for?

Deoxyribonucleic acid

What type of organic molecule is it? Nucleic Acid

How many strands are in DNA? Two (Its in the shape of a DOUBLE helix)

What does the term RNA stand for? Ribonucleic Acid

How are DNA and RNA different?

DNA is double stranded, RNA is single stranded

DNA contains the sugar Deoxyribose, RNA contains the sugar     Ribose

DNA provides instructions; RNA actually goes out and MAKES proteins

After that we went through the basics of DNA notes (please check edline to download those if you were out)

Heredity Exam tomorrow!!! Study up

Make sure you guys look over your notes tonight, read through these blog posts and play the review game.  If you have any last minute questions you can make a comment to this post.  I will check them periodically throughout the evening!!  Here is the link for the review game