October 24

Protein Synthesis Post : A & P 12

Transcription:

This process takes place in the nucleus of the cell.

  1. DNA unwinds/unzips because of the RNA polymerase
  2. The RNA polymerase connects the complimentary RNA bases to the DNA. DNA is like the template strand so that the mRNA can be created. RNA bases  covalently bond together to make  one single strand of mRNA

** instead of thymine RNA uses the base uracil**

** the m in mRNA stands for messenger

3.  When the mRNA is not connected to the DNA anymore the  DNA reforms its double helix (rewinds). The mRNA edits this single strand before leaving the nucleus.

mRNA then heads to the cytoplasm to attach itself to a ribosome. The  ribosomes are made out of rRNA. From this point on protein synthesis continues in its regular order.

Translation:

  1. The ribosome reads the information that the mRNA has made from the DNA copying process. ** all of this is happening from inside thee cytoplasm**
  2. Initiation: once the mRNA is read by the ribosome  it is ready to direct the tRNA. tRNA can take different amino acids and know which one to bring to thee ribosome.  the tRNA is able to  tell because it reads the mRNAs information using its  anti-codon.
  3. elongation: the mRNA is read one codon at a time by the tRNA, and the amino acid matching each codon is added to a directed protein chain.  this  protein  is held together with peptide bonds
  4. termination:  Termination is the last step in translation. it happens when the tRNA reads a stop codon in the mRNA (UAA, UAG, or UGA). this codon  means the creation of the protein is complete.

 

May 4

Into the Woods

  1. What adaptations allow them to survive in their environment? List several structures and explain how the structure allows the organism to survive and thrive in its environment. You will need to do some research. The following link may be helpful, but you are not limited to this site.

Black slug (Arion ater):

The black slug has two separate tentacles that have different uses. The upper, and larger tentacles are used for sight and smell as the lower and smaller tentacle are used for taste and touch. The pneumostome is how they breath and just under it is their gonopore which is where their eggs emerge from. To keep themselves moist they cover themselves in a thin layer of slimy mucus. The other benefit of this mucus is that it protects the slugs from predators as they do not like the taste.

Dandelion (Taraxacum):

  1. Where is the original (native) habitat of this species located?

Dandelions originated and are native to Eurasia.

  1. How was this species first introduced into foreign habitats?

Anywhere the European people migrated the dandelions came with them

  1. Provide at least one reason for why this species has flourished in its new habitat.

Every dandelion fuzz ball has around 100 seeds on it so, when the wind picks them up or if we blow them on one, that means there are 100 new spots for these plants to grow. The seeds are able to transport themselves very far and since they grow almost all year round it gives them lots of time and space to keep multiplying.

  1. Provide some detail as to how this species is causing ecological harm in its introduced habitat.

It takes over complete lawns in a matter of months and will push out or kill almost any other plant surrounding it. But they actually fertilize your grass and since the roots go so deep into the ground they can prevent erosion. So as there are lots of negatives they do have a few important positives.

  1. List two methods used to try to control this invasive species.

It is hard to control them as to actually make sure they cannot grow back you must remove the entire plant (all the way down to the ends of the roots). The easiest way is to use eco friendly weed killers. These do all the work so you don’t have to. Also keeping your lawn thick and healthy can help prevent dandelions and other weeds from infesting.