Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

15. Gene Expression

Review of Transcription vs. Translation

General Biology

15. Gene Expression

Review of Transcription vs. Translation

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2:02 minutes

Problem 16

Textbook Question

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Eating even a single death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) can be fatal due to a compound called α-amanitin, a toxin that inhibits transcription.
The primary cause of death from α-amanitin poisoning is liver failure. Suppose a physician informs you that liver cells die because their rate of protein production falls below a level needed to maintain active metabolism. Given that α-amanitin is an inhibitor of transcription, you wonder if this information is correct. Propose an experiment to determine whether the toxin also has an effect on protein synthesis.

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Formulate a hypothesis: Since α-amanitin is known to inhibit transcription, hypothesize that it indirectly affects protein synthesis by reducing mRNA availability, which is required for translation.

Design an experiment: Use two groups of cultured liver cells. Treat one group with α-amanitin (experimental group) and leave the other untreated (control group). Ensure all other conditions are identical for both groups.

Measure transcription levels: Use a technique like quantitative PCR (qPCR) to measure the levels of mRNA in both groups. This will confirm whether α-amanitin is effectively inhibiting transcription in the experimental group.

Measure protein synthesis: Incorporate a radioactive or fluorescently labeled amino acid (e.g., radiolabeled methionine) into the culture medium. After a set period, measure the incorporation of the labeled amino acid into proteins in both groups using techniques like autoradiography or fluorescence detection.

Analyze results: Compare the levels of protein synthesis between the experimental and control groups. If protein synthesis is significantly reduced in the experimental group, it suggests that α-amanitin indirectly affects protein synthesis by inhibiting transcription and reducing mRNA availability.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transcription and Translation

Transcription is the process by which messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from a DNA template, while translation is the subsequent process where ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the mRNA sequence. Understanding these processes is crucial because αα-amanitin inhibits transcription, which directly impacts the production of mRNA and, consequently, protein synthesis.

Effects of αα-amanitin

αα-amanitin is a potent inhibitor of RNA polymerase II, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA in eukaryotic cells. By inhibiting this enzyme, αα-amanitin reduces the production of mRNA, leading to decreased protein synthesis. This understanding is essential for designing experiments to assess the impact of the toxin on liver cell function and viability.

Experimental Design

To determine the effect of αα-amanitin on protein synthesis, an experiment could involve treating cultured liver cells with varying concentrations of the toxin and measuring protein levels using techniques like Western blotting or ELISA. This approach allows for the quantification of protein production and helps establish a direct correlation between αα-amanitin exposure and the rate of protein synthesis.

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