Unit 5 Reflection

In unit 5, we learned about how our genetic code determined who we are and the great importance of our DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the basis of all life and is made up of millions of nucleotides, which are made of a nitrogen base, a phosphate group, and a sugar(deoxyribose). In 1953, Francis Watson and James Crick discovered the structure of DNA: a double helix. This double helix shape helps the DNA pack together tightly and supports the structure as well. Each nucleotide bonds covalently with each other, creating an antiparallel structure, meaning the 5' and 3' carbons go in opposite directions. Nitrogen bases with double rings are called purines, adenine and guanine, and single rings are called pyrimidines, thymine and cytosine. This basic genetic code is a simple system that allows individuals have special qualities and unique features
. The process of replicating DNA is a simple concept, where helicase unzips the DNA and DNA polymerase adds the matching nucleotides to the unwound strands creating two new genetically identical cells.

One of the most important concepts of our DNA is the central dogma of biology. The central dogma of biology is the process from DNA to protein, where DNA is transcribed into RNA and RNA is translated into amino acids and eventually into proteins. During transcription, the DNA unzips and RNA polymerase creates a complementary RNA strand and once finished mRNA exits the nucleus into the cytoplasm. During transcription, ribosomes read the mRNA three bases at a time, in codons, and turns them into amino acids and eventually protein. This process is especially important, because without it would be impossible for life to thrive. One of the most important subjects in genetics is gene expression and regulation. All cells in our body have the same DNA, and yet they only use the minimum amount of DNA that they specialize in for one reason: to save energy. This is the reason why you don't have ears on your chest and why fingers aren't on legs because the appropriate genes are only turned on at the appropriate times.

Although unit 5 was short, I grew a lot as a student. The main thing that usually helps me with the unit is understanding the concepts and applying it to the real world. For example, in protein synthesis section I applied it into real life, as proteins are everywhere and help us get through life every day. Last unit we took the VARK questionnaire, and I learned that I learn best visually over any other method. After thinking about this a little bit, I realized that I was a very artistic person, therefore a visual learner as well. Overall, in this unit I learned a lot about genetics as well as myself.