Definition of Terms
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
The mechanism by which genetic information was maintained within a cell and
used to create proteins [ CITATION Jea18 \l 13321 ]. The central dogma of molecular
biology defines the flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to messenger
RNA (mRNA) to protein. It states that genes specify the sequence of mRNA
molecules, which in turn specify the sequence of proteins [CITATION lum \l 13321 ].
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost
all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.
Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a
small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called
mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA) [ CITATION Nat19 \l 13321 ]. It is a biopolymer of
deoxyribonucleic acids (a type of nucleic acid) that has four different chemical
groups, called bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an important biological macromolecule that functions
to convert the genetic information encoded by DNA into proteins. The RNA is
typically single-stranded and comes in a variety of shapes and types. The single-
stranded structure of RNA allows this molecule to fold back on itself and form
various stable secondary structures as necessary [ CITATION Cuf19 \l 13321 ].
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Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a molecule of RNA that encodes a chemical
“blueprint” for a protein product. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the genetic
information copied from DNA in the form of a series of three-base code “words,”
each of which specifies a particular amino acid [CITATION Lod \l 13321 ].
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the key to deciphering the code words in mRNA. Each
type of amino acid has its own type of tRNA, which binds it and carries it to the
growing end of a polypeptide chain if the next code word on mRNA calls for it.
The correct tRNA with its attached amino acid is selected at each step because
each specific tRNA molecule contains a three-base sequence that can base-pair
with its complementary code word in the mRNA [ CITATION Lod \l 13321 ].
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) associates with a set of proteins to form ribosomes.
These complex structures, which physically move along an mRNA molecule,
catalyze the assembly of amino acids into protein chains. They also bind tRNAs
and various accessory molecules necessary for protein synthesis. Ribosomes
are composed of a large and small subunit, each of which contains its own rRNA
molecule or molecules [ CITATION Lod \l 13321 ].
Protein
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Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body.
They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and
regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Proteins are made up of hundreds or
thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another
in long chains. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined
to make a protein. The sequence of amino acids determines each protein’s
unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function [CITATION Nat \l 13321 ].
Polypeptide
Polypeptides are chains of amino acids and essential portions of proteins in cells.
A polypeptide is formed by the removal of water between amino acids to form
peptide bonds.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, these are the
building blocks of life. It can also be used as a source of energy by the body.
Replication
Replication is the basis for biological inheritance. It copies a cell’s DNA. The
enzyme DNA polymerase copies a single parental double-stranded DNA
molecule into two daughter double-stranded DNA molecules. Transcription
makes RNA from DNA. The enzyme RNA polymerase creates an RNA molecule
that is complementary to a gene-encoding stretch of DNA. Translation makes
protein from mRNA. The ribosome generates a polypeptide chain of amino acids
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using mRNA as a template. The polypeptide chain folds up to become a protein
[ CITATION lum \l 13321 ].
Transcription
Transcription is the process of creating a complementary RNA copy of a
sequence of DNA. Both RNA and DNA are nucleic acids, which use base pairs of
nucleotides as a complementary language that enzymes can convert back and
forth from DNA to RNA. During transcription, a DNA sequence is read by RNA
polymerase, which produces a complementary, antiparallel RNA strand. Unlike
DNA replication, transcription results in an RNA complement that substitutes the
RNA uracil (U) in all instances where the DNA thymine (T) would have occurred.
Transcription is the first step in gene expression. The stretch of DNA transcribed
into an RNA molecule is called a transcript. Some transcripts are used as
structural or regulatory RNAs, and others encode one or more proteins. If the
transcribed gene encodes a protein, the result of transcription is messenger RNA
(mRNA), which will then be used to create that protein in the process of
translation [ CITATION lum \l 13321 ].
Translation
Translation is the process by which mRNA is decoded and translated to produce
a polypeptide sequence, otherwise known as a protein. This method of
synthesizing proteins is directed by the mRNA and accomplished with the help of
a ribosome, a large complex of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and proteins. In
translation, a cell decodes the mRNA’s genetic message and assembles the
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brand-new polypeptide chain. Transfer RNA, or tRNA, translates the sequence of
codons on the mRNA strand. The main function of tRNA is to transfer a free
amino acid from the cytoplasm to a ribosome, where it is attached to the growing
polypeptide chain. tRNAs continue to add amino acids to the growing end of the
polypeptide chain until they reach a stop codon on the mRNA. The ribosome
then releases the completed protein into the cell [ CITATION lum \l 13321 ].
Manipulatives
Manipulatives are physical objects that are used as teaching tools to engage
students in the hands-on learning of different subject areas. They can be used to
introduce, practice, or remediate a concept. A manipulative may be as simple as
grains of rice or as sophisticated as a model of our solar system.
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RESEARCH LOCALE
The study will be conducted at Philippine Normal University, this institution was
selected for knowing the efficiency of the aforementioned study among Biology
Education Majors and for them to practice their knowledge on this topic. This study is to
be implemented on the 2nd year Bachelor in Science Education with Specialization in
Biology students in section II-23.
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Bibliography
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https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-RNA.aspx
Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries. (2018, December 17). BSCI 1510L Literature and Stats Guide: The
genetic code and the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. Retrieved from Jean & Alexander
Heard Libraries: https://researchguides.library.vanderbilt.edu/bsci1510L
Lodish, Berk, & Zipursky. (n.d.). Molecular Cell Biology (4th ed.). New York: W. H. Freeman. Retrieved
from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21603/
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). The Genetic Code. Retrieved from Lumen Learning:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/the-genetic-code/
National Institute of Health: U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2019, July 16). What are Proteins and
What do they do? Retrieved from Genetics Home Reference: National Library of Medicine and
National Institute of Medicine: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/protein
National Institute of Health: U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2019, July 16). What is DNA? Retrieved
from Genetics Home Reference: National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna
