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.