Molecular Genetics: DNA Translation - Essay Example

When the process of translation is completed, the slender RNA strand carries generic information through the nucleopore complex, the gatekeeper of traffic in and out of the cell nucleus. After attaching itself securely, the process of transcription begins. Inside the ribosome, the molecular assembly line builds up a specially sequenced chain of amino acids. Once the chain is formed, it moves out of the ribosome to a barrel-shaped machine that helps in folding the chain to the précised shape critical to its function.

After the chain is folded into a protein, it is released and separated by another molecular machine and moved to the exact location where it is needed.The rule of base pairing helps explain how DNA is replicated prior to cell division. Enzymes unzip the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between the base pairs. The unpaired bases are now free to bind with other nucleotides with the appropriate complementary bases. The enzyme primase begins the process by synthesizing the primase of RNA nucleotides complementary to the unpaired DNA.

DNA polymerase now attaches DNA nucleotides to one end of the growing complementary strand of nucleotides. Replication proceeds continuously along one strand called the leading strand.The mutation is a phenomenon that results in the alteration of DNA sequence and consequently results in changes in the genetic and physical appearance of an organism. The various types of mutations are point mutation with cancer aberrations as an example, frameshift mutation with Hypercholesterolemia as an example.

Mutagens in the environment are certain environmental agents that may cause mutations in the genetic code. The term mutation refers to any change in the DNA within a cell. The majority of mutations are caused by mutagens and these could be due to the DNA replication errors. Examples of mutagens that are commonly seen in the environment are high-energy radiations from radioactive elements and ionizing rays like X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, and UV light. Pollutants such as cigarette smoke, pesticides, food additives, drugs, viruses, a common lab reagent-ethidium bromide also contribute significantly.

Microevolution is referred to as the adaptations and changes within a specious level. Natural evolution is the function of microevolution. It is the alteration of a specific trait due to a natural response. The following are the three plainly observable principles of microevolution.1. A trait will alter because of the stimulus.2. A trait will return to normal life if left to nature or returned to its original conditions.3. No new information is added to the DNA. This hypothesis is commonly observed in nature.

This theory also applies to changes within species that are not genericMacroevolution is the term used to refer to any evolutionary change at or above the level of species. This hypothesis reveals that species evolution is between species evolution. It is the addition of new traits or transition to a new species. However, this is a theory, which is not observed in nature yet.