The Central Dogma
At the end of the week, I will be able to describe how genes allow for gene expression by reading about the Central Dogma, drawing a diagram and writing a paragraph to go with my analysis. Reference: The Central Dogma>
A. What is the Central Dogma?The central dogma is an exploitation of genetic information in a biological system. There are three main processes involved DNA replication, transcription and translation. In DNA replication the cells replicate to make more DNA so that when cells divide they will have the same amount of DNA. During transcription the information in the DNA is copied onto a RNA molecule. Finally in the translation the information in the mRNA in translated into amino acids to form a long polypeptide protein.
C. What is a gene?A gene gives directions to make our bodies function. One strand of out DNA contains many genes. A gene is an string of DNA molecule that codes for a specific protein. Proteins produce the pigment in our eyes and other traits.
E. What is a protein?Proteins make all living things function. Every cell in our body contains thousands of different proteins. Receptor proteins are responsible for sending pain signals to our brains. Structure proteins help the nerve cell do its job. The DNA encodes information about how to make an individual protein.
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B. What is DNA?The nucleus tells the cell what role to play in your body. DNA encodes detailed set of plans for building different parts of the cell.The DNA molecule comes in a double helix (twisted ladder form). DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleicAcid. Genes tell the cell to make other molecules called proteins.
D. Transcription and TranslationEach gene encodes a unique protein that performs a special function on the cell. The human genome contains more than 25,000 genes. Cells use the two-step process of transcription and translation to read each gene. A goes with T/U, C goes with G and backwards.
F. An Example of Gene ExpressionCells in the fireflies tail produce enzyme. luciferase drives a chemical that generates light. One of the reasons fireflies glow is to attract a mate.In the nucleus of each cell and enzyme called RNA polymerase. The luc gene specifies the sequence of amino acids.
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