In the first section of this page, you will write a daily summary of that day's class.  For example in  your chapter 2 blog, your first entry should be titled 9/3/10.  You should then write a one or two paragraph summary of that day's lecture, outlining the major points.  In the second section, you are required to add two items (link to a website, video, animation, student-created slide show, student-created PowerPoint presentation) and one journal article pertaining to a topic in this chapter.  A one-paragraph summary must accompany each item describing the main idea and how it applies to the lecture topic.  Please see the PBWorks help guide for assistance embedding video and other items directly in the page.  I will also produce a how-to video on using tables to wrap text around items and other useful tips.  Please see the syllabus for organization and grading details.

A.  Daily Blog

9/22/10

Wednesday's lecture was about the organelles of the cell and their functions. First, we discussed prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are smaller, and lack nuclei and membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is housed in the nucleoid region of the cell. Eukaryotes have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles. They are more complex in their structures. Organelles in cells include mitochondria, ribosomes, peroxisomes, lysosomes, golgi bodies, and rough/smooth endoplasmic reticulum. We then discussed proteins and their effect on cell shape and function, and gene expression. We discussed protein translation, and protein trafficking. We then finished the day with an explanation of how proteins are moved from the ER to their intended destinations, via the pulse-chase experiment. This interesting experiment we observed involved labeling the proteins (radioactive markers) and exposing them to a cell, and then exposing unlabeled proteins. The labeled proteins can then be tracked through the cell's pathways.

9/24/10

This lecture focused more on protein sorting and transport. We discussed co-translational and post-translational sorting. Proteins are transported to their desired locations through protein signaling sequences, which are attached to the polypeptide during translation. In co-translational sorting, the signal sequence is recognized by signal recognition particles (SRP). The translation is paused, and the proteins are transported via SRP receptors to the ER to finish translation. The protein is then sent to the golgi bodies for further processing and later transported to its target organelle or out the plasma membrane. Some proteins that lack signaling sequences undergo post-translational sorting, where they finish translation in the cytosol and then transferred to their target destination. This lecture was pretty new to me and pretty interesting. 

B.  Useful Materials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvfvRgk0MfA

A nice video animation of of protein trafficking, showing the process and detailing it. The animation really simplifies the process, and is good as a visual reinforcement for the concept.

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/pulsechase/pulsechase.html

This is a website with information regarding pulse-chase experiments. It offers two quizzes and an animation tutorial on the subject. I found it interesting and useful.

The role of SurA factor in outer membrane protein transport and virulence

This article talks about the SurA factor, which aids in the creation of outer membrane proteins. The article explains how SurA promotes the folding and transport of these proteins and how it may support virulence in cells for several pathogens.