DNA Lab

DNA Lab

Part 1. Personal Chromosome  #12

 1.  IGF1: Insulin-like growth factor I

This gene is mainly produced by the liver as an endocrine hormone and production is stimulated by growth hormone. It also is important in regulation or normal physiology and numerous pathological states including cancer. IGF's bind to insulin receptors.

2. IFNG- Interferon, gamma 

These are antiviral agents that modulate the immune system. They bind to viruses and bacteria to prevent growth. They're also known to prevent tumor growth.

3. CD4 molecule

This gene initiates the early actuation of T-cells that can be important in the fight against neuronal damage and disease's in the central nervous system. This gene encodes a membrane glycoprotein of T lymphocytes that interacts with major histocompatibility complex class II antigens.

4. UBC ubiquitin

This gene has been associated with protein degradation, DNA repair,cell cycle regulation, and regulation of other cell pathways. It is one of the four gene encoding for ubiquitin in the mammalian gene. It is the most responsive gene to cellular trents such as heat shock, and UV irradiation.

5. VDR Vitamin D 

This gene encodes the nuclear hormone receptor for vitamin D3. It functions as a receptor for the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid.

6. VWF von Williebrand factor

This gene encodes a glycoprotein involved in hemostasis. These complexes function in the adhesion of platelets to sites of vascular injury and the transport of various proteins in the blood.  

7. SP1 Transcription factor

This gene encodes a protein that involves many cellular processes. This includes cell differentiation, cell growth, apoptosis,immune responses, response to DNA damage, and chromatin remodeling. 

 8. GNB3- guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), beta polypeptide 3 

This gene encodes a beta sub-unit which belongs to the WD repeat G protein beta family. A single nucleotide polymorphism in this gene is associated with essential hypertension and obesity. 

References 

Bibliography: ‘CD4Homo sapiensCD4 molecule [ (human) ]’. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 13 Feb. 2006. 10 Nov. 2015. In-line Citation: (‘CD4Homo SapiensCD4 Molecule [ (human) ]’)

  Bibliography: ‘Interferon’. Wikipedia. N.p.: Wikipedia, 4 Oct. 2015. 10 Nov. 2015. In-line Citation: (‘Interferon’)


Part 2. Genetic Blueprints.

This lesson was a great tool in simplifying the understanding of DNA structures. The instructions were a little confusing at times but for the most part were clear. I feel I achieved a better understanding of the DNA structure. Knowing and seeing how sugar and phosphate made up the backbone of DNA. I enjoyed the 3D experience and ability to rotate the DNA strand to look at different angles. I liked the observation of photo 51. It showed a great bit of detail and lead to great knowledge and understanding that ended up being a focused experiment. The last thing I would like to comment on was my Hershey-Chase Experiment: Conclusion. I picked Nucleic Acids which was correct and supported by my results. Hershey-Chase hypothesis that proteins were the genetic material was incorrect.