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

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!!