Blog post 6 Jack

        Since our last blog post our plant has gotten a lot bigger and gained biomass. This happens by having its cells divide through mitosis, but it has to collect sugar for energy and use it. For the plant to perform photosynthesis it has to collect sugar which then converts Co2 and water into o2 and sugar. It then is able to move the sugars to cells to cells that don't have sugar so all cells in the plant can grow and perform mitosis.


For the plant to perform photosynthesis plant cells need enzymes phosphoenolpyruate carboxylase and ribulose 1.5 bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, when the cell tells the nucleus to produce more of these enzymes it will have RNA synthase go to the part of the chromosome containing the gene coding for protein. It then goes to split the DNA down the middle so it can copy the information and make mRNA. It does through the process of complimenting base pairs. It then sends the mRNA to ribosomes to create protein. It then reads the genes in sets of three base pairs also known as codons which codes what amino acids are to be added to the polypeptide in the order that it's read. After a certain point one of the codons will tell the ribosome that the protein is complete so it will release it and the mRNA by then completes the process of the creation of the enzyme.

Blog Post 6 Elliot

Our plant has definitely gotten bigger since the last time we checked on it and it just doesn’t grow by magic.Multiple things are currently and have been happening.  All the cells go through mitosis. Mitosis is where the cell divides and almost makes an exact replica of itself
within a Eukaryotic organism. There are 5 cells in mitosis and the first stage is prophase. In prophase, the chromatin condenses into chromosomes which are made up of sister chromatids joined at centromeres and centrioles, the bases will pull the chromatids apart, then isolate it to the opposite poles on the cells membrane.  Next, in prometaphase, the nuclear membrane dissolves and the microtubules extend from each centriole and grab the chromosomes' centromeres.  Then in metaphase, the chromosomes line up across the very center of the cell to form a metaphase plate.  In anaphase, the sister chromatids isolate and the microtubules pull a copy to each cellular pole. Finally, in telephase, all the chromatids reach their poles, and are encased in the nuclear membranes and then disperse back into the mass of chromatin.


After a cell goes through mitosis, it goes through photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is the process that gives the plant food in order to live.  It happens when the sunlight hits the leaves on the plant.  This makes the chlorophyll active and activates electrons.  Water is split between the oxygen and hydrogen ions.  The electrons which are activated then go through an electron transport chain.  The hydrogen ions go to the thylakoid membrane in which generates a proton gradient.  ATP is then formed when ADP and P come together and the electrons going through the transport train combine with NADP+ to finally form NADPH( a high energy molecule.  After this either a light-independent or a dark reaction will happen. The reaction uses energy from the light reaction to convert carbon dixide into glucose, this is the Calvin cycle.

Finally cellular respiration is going to happen.  During cellular respiration a glucose molecule is slowly broken down into carbon dioxide and water.  During this process ATP is produced straight into the reactions that transform glucose.  More ATP is producing in a future process called oxidative phosphorylation. It's powered by electrons movement through the electron transport chain.





Enzymes have a big role in any organisms life. Plants use a lot of enzymes. They get them by using a process called protein synthesis. Protein synthesis happens in the ribosomes and the nucleus. Before this happens the cell has to create mRNA. The mRNA has a 3 letter sequence that has codons, which are codes for amino acids. Translation begins when the mRNA is sent to the ribosomes. Translation is where the ribosome turns each codon and creates the correct amino acid. There is a new protein which would be an enzyme if requested. This is how our plant would make enzymes.

Blog post 6: Nate

Obviously our plant has gotten substantially larger from the last time we looked at it.  It doesn't magically just put out more and more mass.  So what exactly does it do?  Well each of the cells go through mitosis.  Mitosis is where a cell divides and creates basically a replica of itself.  A cell first goes through interphase where the cell duplicates its organelles and copies its DNA.  DNA is a pretty important thing in cells because it is the structure for their life.  The DNA is copied through a semi-conservative replication.  The process involves a couple enzymes and it occurs in the nucleus.  The helicase unwinds the double helix and the DNA polymerase adds new nucleotides and copies the DNA.  Why it is semi-conservative is one strand is copied backwards and the other one is copied normal.  This is the longest phase by far.  After interphase prophase happens.  Prophase consists of the chromosomes condensing and the nucleus disappearing.  Microtubles are also formed.  Next, metaphase begins.  In metaphase the chromosomes line up and prepare to be split.  Then, anaphasae occurs and the chromosomes move to opposite sides of the cell.  Finally telophase takes place.  The chromosomes reach opposite walls and the cell begins to divide.  Cytokenisis finishes it off and there is 2 new cells.  Seems like a lot just for growth, but there are tons of cells constantly at work doing this and growing the plan or repairing it.  For example, our plant has lots of holes from bugs eating it away and the holes will slowly form again because mitosis is happening.  Also at the tips of the leaves the plant will be growing as well. 

How do the cells obtain the energy to do all this?  Well what they do is photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis allows cells to take sunlight and convert it into energy.  This all occurs in the chloroplasts of the cells.  Another way our plant was obtaining energy was through cellular respiration.  Cellular respiration is a processes that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP. and then releases waste products.  Respiration normally uses oxyegen and has 4 steps known as glycosis, link reaction, the krebs cycle, and electron transport train.  In glycosis the glucose in the cytoplasm is broken down into 2 molecules.  Next in the link reaction, pyruvate molecules are decarboxylated in the mitochondria. Pyruvate molecules are oxidized and converted to acetylcoenzyme A.  In the krebs cycle, which takes place in the mitochondria, consumes oxygen and produces Co2 and ATP.  The Co2 is released and the ATP is used in the cell.  Well, that's how our plant was growing all this time.

Enzymes are a crucial part of any living organism's life.  Plants use a vast amount of enzymes, but where do they get them?  If a cell is told a specific enzyme is needed, then it will begin protein synthesis, because enzymes are proteins.  Protein synthesis occurs in the nucleus and ribosomes.  Before anything happens the cell must create mRNA.  This is made during transcription when a copy of the DNA is created.  The mRNA has 3 letter sequences on it that are codons and they are codes for amino acids.  After the mRNA is made it is sent to the ribosomes to begin translation.  Translation is where the ribosome reads each codon using an anticodon and creates the correct amino acid.  Once it is complete you are left with a new protein which if was asked for would be an enzyme.