Unit 5 reflection

In this unit we learned about  how DNA gets used to create proteins, and how DNA is copied. To copy DNA it is first unzipped by the enzyme helicase, then the enzyme DNA polymarase adds the missing halves, which creates two full sets of DNA. To create proteins, DNA is first transcribed into mRNA by the enzyme RNA polymarase. The RNA is then processed to remove unnecessary parts(introns), and leave only the extrons. The mRNA then leaves the nucleus, and goes to ribosome where it is read in 3 base sections called codon, and used to create a protein. The RNA can be mutated, and there are 3 types mutations. Substitutions are when one base is swapped for another, Insertions are when a base is added, and deletion is when a base is removed. Insertions, and deletion are called frame shift mutations, and have more effect on the protein than a substitution because they effect every codon after the mutation. Finally we learned about gene regulation, which controls which genes are expressed. This is done with an operon that can have a represser attach to at, and block the RNA polymerase from copying the DNA. I am pretty solid on everything in this unit. I am slightly less sure about gene regulation, but overall this unit was one on my better ones.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Gene_expression_control.png

http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/point_mutation_types.png

In this unit learned some new skills. In the DNA extraction lab, we had to create our own procedure, and were not told if we had the right procedure, and this taught me to confident in myself. I still want to know more about how DNA expression, and regulation works. I find it interesting that despite the same DNA in all cells, they are very different, and I would like to know more about how and why that happens.

Protein synthesis lab

The body produces proteins in two steps, first DNA is transcribed into mRNA by an enzyme. The mRNA then leaves the nucleus, and goes to the ribosome. It attaches to the ribosome, and the ribosome creates a protein. The ribosome reads the mRNA in the base codons, and adds an amino acid depending on the codon. Once the ribosome reaches a stop codon it stop adding amino acids, and the protein is finished.




https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Gene_expression_control.png


The type of mutation with the least effect was substitution, because it only had an effect on one codon, this mutation has a good chance of having no effect if tit occurs in the last base pair of a codon. Insertion, and deletion had the most effect, because they effect all the codons after the point where the mutation occurs. These mutations have the most effect if the are toward the beginning of an mRNA sequence.



http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/point_mutation_types.png


To make a mutation with maximum effect I substituted one of the base pairs in the first codon. I chose this because it would change the start codon, which would prevent the ribosome from making a protein at all. This mutation has to occur in the fist codon for it to have a major effect, otherwise it's effect will be very minor.



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Different_Types_of_Mutations.png


There is a genetic disorder called progeria, which has the symptom of an increased rate of aging. This usually results in the death of the person with the disorder due to a stoke or heart attack by the age of 20.

http://api.ning.com/files/rij9YXbYphAbAgYkKuHnEMcN0EoYnljvCN3Na44C-XRZsDjNcAW7VPfQcTyhkR8Esf49kNsXhP6BMl0uPyvyWw__/1.HutchinsonGilfordProgeriaSyndrome.jpg?width=229&height=350

DNA Extraction Lab

In this lab we asked the question: "How can DNA be separated from cheek cells order to study it?" We claim that DNA can be extracted from a cheek cell through a simple procedure. First, you scrap the sides of you mouth your teeth, then you swish you mouth with Gatorade, and spit it out. This lets you spit some of your cheek cells out with the liquid, and since Gatorade is a polar liquid it begins to break down the cheek cell. You then add salt to allow the DNA to clump up. You than add soap and enzymes from pineapple juice to further break down the cell, and at the end you ad alcohol to make the DNA float to the surface

As seen in the picture above the DNA floated to the surface at the end of this procedure, which proves that DNA can be extracted from a cell using this procedure.

On possible error is that some people poured the alcohol in too fast, and it mixed with the Gatorade mixture instead of forming a separate layer. This would negate the effect of the alcohol and prevent you from seeing DNA. To fix this the procedure should say to from two layers.

Another error is that is you don't put enough alcohol, then you wont see DNA. This could be fixed by adding more alcohol. 

This lab was done to show how DNA can be extracted from cells, and then be retrieved. This related to DNA, and how it is in every cell in your body. This lab can be applied to the field of genetics. You can use a similar procedure to extract DNA and test it for certain mutations.

Unit 4 refection

This unit was about reproduction, specifically sexual reproduction. I specifically learned the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction, how sex works, and what happens before sex(meiosis, and its steps). We also learned about inheritance, This involved using punnet squares to calculate the probability of offspring having certain traits based off their parents' genotypes. We also learned about dominant, and recessive alleles, which is when one allele is shown over another. Mendel discovered the characteristics and laid down the foundations of genetics. We also learned about some more complicated topics in genetics such as gene linkage, and epistasis.

My main strengths were punnet squares,mitosis and meiosis. My weakness is that i don't quite understand some of the more complected terms yet, and could still use some review on them. Doing the info graphic helped me a lot. It help with both the content side, and the time management side. On the content is was both a test of what I knew, and a review on what I didn't. I had to explain the concepts, so I had to be solid on them, which held me accountable for knowing them.

I still want to know more about genetic mutations. Genetic mutations ave always fascinated me, and the weren't talked about muck in this unit. 

I took a VARK Questionnaire to see how I should be studying, and what type of a learner I am. The results were as I expected, I was more kinesthetic(13), and visual(11), than read/write(6) and aural(2). The useful part of the survey was the studying tips. It recommended that I find/draw diagram and that I go back over what i did in labs. I intend to try both of theses new methods of studying on the new test

Coin Sex Lab

In this lab we learned how to use punnet squares to predict what traits our offspring will have, and how these prediction can deffer from what actually will happen. In this lab we used coins to represent genes, and the two sides of the coin represent the two different alleles for the gene. The flipping of the coins represents meiosis, and the two sets of coins up represents the processes of recombination. The coins also showed how probability of something happening can be different from what actually happens. We did multiple autosomal crosses, where the sex chromosomes are not involved, and one x-linked cross, which is when the sex chromosome are involved. We used two sets of one coin each to represent monohybrid crosses, and two sets of two coins each to represent dihybrid crosses. In some of our tests we labeled both side of the coin the same way to represent a homozygous trait, but in others we labeled the two sides differently to represent a heterozygous trait.

When we preformed the di-hybrid cross, we got results that were slightly different than what was expected. The punnet square gave us a phenotype ratio of:

9 Brown Hair, and Brown eyes : 3 Blond Hair, and Brown eyes : 3 Brown Hair, and blue eyes :
1 Blond Hair, and Blue eyes

Our experiment had slightly different results, and gave us the phenotypic ratio of:

8 Brown Hair, and Brown eyes : 4 Blond Hair, and Brown eyes : 2 Brown Hair, and blue eyes :
2 Blond Hair, and Blue eyes

The slight difference between the probability, and what actually happened is due to the fact that probability, and reality do not always line up. It possible to cross two heterozygotes, and get two recessive alleles in all ten offspring for the same reasons that you can flip a coin ten times and get heads every time. This lab demonstrated the limits of probability. Probability can give you odds on what can happen, but until the event occurs you have no idea what will happen. Relating back to the coin, the probability of getting heads two heads in a row is a 25% chance, but until you flip the coin twice you can't know if you will get two heads.

This lab relates to me because if/when I have children, then I cant use probability to predict what they might be like, but I have no way to know for sure what traits they will have, until they are born.

Genetics Infographic

Because in this layout my info graphic appears very small, to view it in full size click here.

Unit 3 reflection

This unit was about what is inside a cell, and what cells do. It included photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and osmosis. This unit also mentions how cells were discovered, and how cells changed over time. The main theme of this unit was that cells are the building blocks, and the ways cell use their organelles, and processes to communicate, and survive, and create life. One other key concept was how the structure of a cell affects its function. My main strength was the organelles, and osmosis, because I feel like I really understand them, and can explain them. My main weaknesses would be photosynthesis and cellular respiration, because while I mostly understand them, there are a few details I still don't understand fully.

I learned a lot about cells, and also about good lab procedure. I learned how to find errors in an experiment, and come up with ways to fix them. I also got a little better at getting through the vodcasts without pausing. Finally I learned new ways to get through difficult material.

I still want to learn more about photosynthesis, and how it works at a deeper level. At a more broad level I find it amazing how life evolved from tiny bacteria to big multi-cellular organisms that will have the capability to learn, and study the tiny cells they are made of. I also love concept of osmosis, and how quickly a cell will change based on its surroundings. If I have time I might try duplicating one of the experiments at home, but with slight modifications.










I normally study minimally for test, but for this one I plan to at the minim review photosynthesis and cellular respiration through the CFUs, vodcast notes, and the diagrams. I will also take the CFUs again, and review any other difficult concepts based on what I get wrong.