LG 6 Protein Synthesis #10-18

10. Describe how RNA poymerase gains access to and copies the information encoded on a gene.
The RNA polymerase attaches to the promotor region of DNA and begins to copy the information from a gene.

11. Identify the three kind of RNA and give a brief description of their functions
mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, and Proteins
12. Describe the structure of a ribosome and give a brief description of its function.





Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. This occurs when RNA is translated in to protiens. Because many proteins are in high demand within the body, there is an abundance of ribosomes around the cell and on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

13. Describe the steps in the synthesis of a protein during the three stages of translation.
Initiation: Promoter + RNA polymerase begins transcriptions and "initiates" the process
Elongation:
Elongation is like a conga line that elongates the mRNA,  collects amino acids and pairs up the codons.

Termination: When the ribosome reaches one or more stop codons, all the "ingredients" used in the process of elongation separate,and a polypeptide results as the final product.

14. Define what a mutation is and explain the effects they can have on an organism?
Mutations can have multiple effects on the body, they are simply changes in genomic sequence, they range from un-noticable problems to albino people and animals and sickle cells.

15. Describe some of the different kinds of mutations using illustrations of the genetic code.

The above image is of a substitution mutation that exchanges one base for another (ex. change in a single "chemical letter" such as switching an A to a G).
Effects:Many things could happen including incomplete proteins, changes in amino acids, or no change at all.

 The above mutation is a Insertion mutation
Insertions are mutations where extra base pairs are inserted into a new place within the DNA. The effects are the same as substitution mutations.

The above image is of a deletion mutation (the opposite of a insertion mutation, same effects)

16. Identify some of the factors that can increase the frequency of mutations.
Environmental factors such as pollution, chemicals, radiation, evolution and diet are all able to increase the frequency of mutations.  

17. Describe what is meant by gene regulation and give examples of how it can occur.
The process that cells use to regulate the way that the information in genes is turned into gene products (proteins).

18. Describe one genetic disorder and explain the dysfunction that it results from.
 Sickle cell  disease is recognized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. It is a genetic disorder that decreases the cells flexibility. The sickling occurs because of a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. Shortening the life span of patients. In 1994, in the US, the average life expectancy of persons with this condition was estimated to be 42 years in males and 48 years in females