(BIO W4A2) MINIMUM: 1, 200 WORDS Our understanding of genetic inheritance and th
ID: 100900 • Letter: #
Question
(BIO W4A2)
MINIMUM: 1, 200 WORDS
Our understanding of genetic inheritance and the function of DNA in producing the characteristics of the individual have been developing for more than 150 years. Consider our current state of knowledge. Link genetic characteristics to DNA structure. Explain how DNA through the process of protein synthesis is responsible for the ultimate expression of the characteristics in the organism. Describe how interference in protein synthesis can result in disruption of cellular and bodily processes? How does the significance of one class of proteins, the enzymes, relate to the importance of proper nutrition throughout life?
Explanation / Answer
In heritance is the process through which genetic information is passed on from a parent to a child. This is why members of the same family tend to have same features. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary materials in humans and almost all other organisms. All cells in humans, have the same DNA which is located in the nucleus and some in the mitochondria. The genetic materials in DNA is stored in form of codes made of chemical bases such as: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). The DNA is made of billions of bases which are almost same in all human beings.Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the developmentand role of living things. All known cellular life and some viruses contain DNA. The main function in the cell is the long-term storage of genetic data or information.This understanding of genetic inheritance and the function of DNA in producing the features of the individual have been developed over a long period of time. Long before the factual evidence shown, the DNA materials were responsible for genetic inheritance; it was that proteins controlled the genetics of living things. In that time they were no many different expressed traits or characteristics. Biologist believed that DNA is a very simple molecule hence was not possible to control or be responsible for many differences in life. The conclusion was, numerous proteins had to control genetics.The similarity of parents and off springs have stumped many Biologists. The first indication suggest that: DNA as genetic materials originated from the studies of bacteria. Today, this indication represents models in defining functions of genes by the introduction of new DNA in cells.Heredity is the transmission of traits from one generation to another in1890s. The appearances, height, color of hair or skin, eyes of individuals are determined by genes. Genes work together with consultation of molecules such as ribonucleic acid RNA, which form the chemical reactions in our bodies.George Mendel deducted fundamental principles of inheritance by breeding Garden peas. The design of inheritance in pea plants of dissimilar characters, Mendel suggested principles of inheritance, which today is denoted as ‘Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance’. He suggested several deductions like, genes regulate characters found in pairs called alles. He also suggested that some characters were dominant over others. This was clearly understood that genes are what carries traits from one generation to the other and they consisted of DNA. Nevertheless, it was not until the mid- 20th century when the researchers faced the fact.Chase led a series of practical’s that finally demonstrated that DNA was and not proteins that controlled the inheritance of traits. The experiment used DNA with radioactively labeled phosphorus (1952). This was last evidence that DNA, not protein was responsible genetic inheritance was provided by use of phosphorus-labeled bacterial phages. The radioactive DNA, passed down from their parents, but no radioactive protein which was used. These experiments convinced the scientific field that DNA alone was the material of heredity, and inspiredWatsonand Crick to begin their efforts to discover its structure.
In Medline Plus (2013) website, Human beings have cells with 46chromosomes-- 2 sex chromosomes and 22 pairs of non-sex (autosomal) chromosomes: males are "46, XY" and females are "46, XX" which are made up of strands of genetic information called DNA". Genes were considered as segments of DNA which gave the info for forming proteins. Genes store our genetic data and offer proteins through structures called chromosomes. To make one protein human being needs help from the messenger RNA, RNA, Transmit DNA, amino acids, ribosomes, and several enzymes as suggested in the process of protein synthesis.Current state of knowledge is also diverse, many sources indicate that, when errors disrupt cellular fitness it causes "infections phenotypes and shapes gene and genome evolution". Occasionally an error will originate in the genetic material of a new cell resulting in a problem of identifying the precise order of amino acids to form its protein; thus said to have a mutation (Jebb, 2007). Mutations can cause genes to encode a protein that works falsely or not at all. "During protein formation, DNA iscopiedinto RNA and thentranslatedto produce proteins; altering nucleotide sequences most often results in nonfunctioning proteins. All enzymes are proteins and chemical reactions in our bodies. For example, when you eat, enzymes break down the food into tiny particles which can be converted into energy in the body hence their importance being released. Proteases enzymes are used in medicine is notable based on severalclinical studiesindicating their benefits in oncology, inflammatory conditions, blood rheology control, and immune regulation.Link genetic characteristics to DNA structureGenes determine who we look like inside wise and outside wise. They contain the information our bodies need to make chemicals called proteins. Proteins form the structure of our bodies, as well playing an important role in the processes that keep us alive and also determining greatly our behaviors. Genes are made of a chemical called DNA, in full ‘deoxyribonucleic acid'. The DNA molecule is a double helix: that is, two long, thin strands twisted around each other like a spiral staircase structure. The DNA contain bases and sugars. There are four types of bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). These bases link in a very specific way: A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G always. The DNA can make copies of itself. If you pull the two strands apart, each can be used to make the other one (and a new DNA molecule) and It can carry information. The order of the bases along a strand is a code - a code for making proteins.The DNA encodes specific characteristics of an organism. Each characteristic/ trait is encoded ina specific DNA region called a gene. The gene for a particular trait undergoes a process called transcription. This is a process in which the language of the body's make-up is transcribed from one cell language to another (DNA to RNA) which the body will recognize in order to carry out the next process. The next process is the translation of the information from RNA to the actual product, which is the protein. Specific proteins play specific roles so the body synthesizes the specific protein for the specific job at the specific time. For example, the in the tropical parts of the world, where the sun is usually high, the individuals usually exposed to the rays of the sun tend to become darker in complexion. This is as a result of synthesis of the protein called melanin, a protein which protects an individual from the harmful ultraviolet radiation to which he/she is exposed. A lesser exposure to the sun leads to a lighter complexion, as a result of decreased production of the melanin. The genetic view is simple. The gene encoding the production of melanin is transcribed into the gene language required for the next stage
which is RNA. The RNA is then transcribed into melanin protein for skin protection this is a simple illustration of how DNA can regulate expression of features. Interference in protein synthesis can result in disruption of cellular and bodily process. This is due to the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors. A protein synthesis inhibitor is a substance that hinders or stops the growth or proliferation of cells. Inhibitor disrupt the process that lead directly to formation of new proteins. Substances like antimicrobial drugs acting on ribosome levels. This substances take advantage of the major differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic which differ in size and structure and RNA protein fractions. The difference in their structure make some antibiotics to kill bacteria by inhibiting their ribosomes leaving human ribosomes unaffected. Proteins comprise of many classes. One of them being enzymes. Enzymes are the sparks that start the essential chemical reactions our bodies need to live and most of them important innutritional purposes.Enzymes - proteins that catalyze chemical and biochemical reactions within living cell and outside. This group of proteins probably is the biggest and most important group of the proteins. Enzymes are responsible for all metabolic reactions in the living cells. Well known and very interesting examples are: DNA- and RNA-polymerases, dehydrogenases and many others.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.