Protein Synthesis Lab

A protein is made through a very complicated process where the DNA gets copied, and that copy is called an RNA. Next, the mRNA leaves the nucleus, and heads over to the cytoplasm. The mRNA specifically goes to the ribosomes, the ribosomes read groups of three bases. These groups of three bases are called sequences. Then DNA Polymerase goes around determining the proper amino acid for the codon. Once the process is finished, it all folds up to become a protein!

When you think about buying things, you always have that chance of getting a factory defect. That is why many companies have warranties, so they fix a defective product! This happens with making proteins too, but it is actually called a mutation. The three different types of mutations are insertion, deletion, and substitution. It seems as though substitution is the least effective mutation because it only affects one sequence. Remember that a sequence is a combination of three base letters. Deletion and insertion can be huge problems to the protein, especially if they are at the start of the RNA/DNA strand.

For the mutation of our group chose, we chose substitution. We chose substitution because it wouldn't greatly affect the DNA strand. It only changed one sequence, and it wouldn't make a difference where the mutation was located.

Proteins are essential to life, so it isn't optimal to have a mutation. A mutation could go from making oxygen travel in much less quantities in your blood to stopping the blood from clotting very easily. Some mutations can cause little to no clotting in your blood, which can cause serious damage to your body. There is also a mutation that was the complete opposite of this, called Thrombophilia. This is when the blood has an increased tendency to clot. Blood clots in your veins are very dangerous. A blood clot in your veins can travel around your body. It can go to your lungs, brain, or heart. There is an extremely high risk of a person dying if a blood clot gets lodged in any of these places.