The second project we did this year was about protein synthesis and homeostasis. We had two different groups for each part of this project.
Learning about central dogma was the main point of the first part of the project. We had to choose a protein, learn about it, and create a slide show on how it is synthesized. Our group decided to specifically learn about how the protein elastin.
|
For the homeostasis investigation, each group chose one type of homeostasis to focus on and test with experiments. Our group chose thermoregulation. This is the regulation of your body tempurature through shivering, sweating, blood flow, and your metabolism.
|
Concepts
Protein: a macromolecule made up of amino acids that codes for all cell functions
(We learned how to synthesize proteins in this project.) Elastin: a protein that makes your skin stretchy and is found in connective tissue Codon: a sequence of three nucleotides that form a genetic code in DNA or RNA Anticodon: a sequence of three nucleotides that form a genetic code in tRNA DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; stores genetic information RNA: ribonucleic acid; carries genetic instructions for protein synthesis mRNA: messengerRNA; relays information from DNA to the ribosomes tRNA: transferRNA; decodes mRNA in order to form a protein (DNA, RNA, mRNA, and tRNA were a big part of central dogma. We needed to learn these terms to understand it.) Central Dogma: the process in which proteins are synthesized (The entire project was to learn how central dogma works and what it is.) |
Homeostasis: the process of keeping your internal body functions in a steady state
(This was the main concept of this part of the project.) Thermoregulation: the process of keeping homeostasis of your body temperature (My group's focus type of homeostasis was thermoregulation.) |
Reflection
This was an interesting project. It had some fascinating concepts and information. There were certain parts of this project that I did not enjoy very much and some that I did. I enjoyed the homeostasis project more than the protein one. The main reason being that we were able to come up with our own experiments to research and learn about homeostasis.
There are a few things that I think I did well, and a few things to work on. I think my organization and collaboration went well, but I need to work on my patience and communication. I kept all of my notes in specific places and in the second group our ideas flowed between everyone smoothly. In the other group there was a lot of miscommunication because we were all confused. Protein synthesis was a very hard concept for me to understand. It tested my patience because I couldn't grasp the concept for a while. I think the first project helped me row the most as a person because it challenged me and made try to find new ways for answers and information.
Overall I think these projects were a good learning experience. I learned a lot of new things, not all of which related to science. Hopefully we do more projects like these.
There are a few things that I think I did well, and a few things to work on. I think my organization and collaboration went well, but I need to work on my patience and communication. I kept all of my notes in specific places and in the second group our ideas flowed between everyone smoothly. In the other group there was a lot of miscommunication because we were all confused. Protein synthesis was a very hard concept for me to understand. It tested my patience because I couldn't grasp the concept for a while. I think the first project helped me row the most as a person because it challenged me and made try to find new ways for answers and information.
Overall I think these projects were a good learning experience. I learned a lot of new things, not all of which related to science. Hopefully we do more projects like these.