11-11-16 - WEEKLY REFLECTION
This week, we learned about DNA and protein synthesis. DNA is helix-shaped, consists of two strands, and contains all the genetic information of a living being. It is composed of nucleotides, which individually consists of a sugar, four bases, and a phosphate group. DNA has a backbone, which are the phosphates and the sugar. The backbone is connected to an individual base which pairs up with a complementary base. Adenine corresponds to Thymine, whilst Cytosine corresponds to Guanine. The hydrogen bonds between the bases are what holds the DNA strands together. To read DNA, you have to read one side 5 prime to 3 prime and 3 prime to 5 primes on the opposite strand.
DNA is replicated during interphase by something called DNA polymerase, which only works in one direction. It finds an origin of replication one of the strands, attaches itself to it, then begins to replicate the strand by making a new backbone made of complementary bases. Because DNA is so long, there are multiple origins of replication to quicken the process. During replication, there is a lagging strand and a leading strand, and the lagging strand an't read the strand until the continuous strand has been separated.
We also learned about protein synthesis, or the production process of proteins, which occurs in the ribosomes. DNA contains the information needed to create proteins. Since DNA cannot leave the nucleus, it has to send RNA for protein synthesis to begin. Protein synthesis consists of two very important parts: transcription (happens inside the nucleus, RNA polymerase creates a copy of RNA), and translation (happens outside of the nucleus, reads codons on RNA to make proteins) There are three types of RNA: messenger RNA (sends message to ribosome to make protein), transfer (carries amino acids to make proteins), and ribosomal (joins mRNA and tRNA together).
I understand the general idea of the topic, but there are still some question that I want to ask:
DNA is replicated during interphase by something called DNA polymerase, which only works in one direction. It finds an origin of replication one of the strands, attaches itself to it, then begins to replicate the strand by making a new backbone made of complementary bases. Because DNA is so long, there are multiple origins of replication to quicken the process. During replication, there is a lagging strand and a leading strand, and the lagging strand an't read the strand until the continuous strand has been separated.
We also learned about protein synthesis, or the production process of proteins, which occurs in the ribosomes. DNA contains the information needed to create proteins. Since DNA cannot leave the nucleus, it has to send RNA for protein synthesis to begin. Protein synthesis consists of two very important parts: transcription (happens inside the nucleus, RNA polymerase creates a copy of RNA), and translation (happens outside of the nucleus, reads codons on RNA to make proteins) There are three types of RNA: messenger RNA (sends message to ribosome to make protein), transfer (carries amino acids to make proteins), and ribosomal (joins mRNA and tRNA together).
I understand the general idea of the topic, but there are still some question that I want to ask:
- Why is there a lagging strand and a leading strand during DNA replication, and what caused it to happen?
- What is a replication fork?
- What does 'prime' mean in "5 prime to 3 prime"?