Plants, cows and humans use the same amino acids to make up their proteins and yet the proteins are very different. Why??
Could a plant make a human protein if we could splice a human protein gene into the plant's genome? Why?
----Those questions are from a lab we did, i got the whole thing done except that!! I'm stuck on the questions, I have no clue what to write, HELP!!!!!!
Understanding why plants, cows, and humans use the same amino acids to make up their proteins, yet the proteins are very different, requires a basic understanding of protein structure and function.
Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that can be combined in various sequences to form a wide range of proteins. Each amino acid has a specific chemical structure that determines its properties and interactions with other molecules.
Despite using the same set of amino acids, the sequence and arrangement of these amino acids in a protein determine its unique structure and function. The specific order of amino acids, known as the primary structure, ultimately governs how the protein folds into its three-dimensional shape.
This folding process is influenced by various factors such as the interactions between amino acid side chains, electrical charges, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. Consequently, different protein sequences lead to distinct folding patterns, resulting in proteins with diverse structures and functions.
For example, human proteins may have specific regions that allow them to interact with other proteins or carry out specific enzymatic activities needed for human physiological processes. On the other hand, plant proteins may have evolved to perform functions specific to plants, such as facilitating photosynthesis or interacting with plant hormones.
Regarding the second question, theoretically, it is possible to splice a human protein gene into a plant's genome to produce a human protein in plants. This process is commonly referred to as genetic engineering or genetic modification.
Plants have the capacity to take up foreign genetic material, including genes from other organisms, through techniques such as gene transfer. By introducing a human protein gene into the plant's genome, the plant's cellular machinery can potentially produce the corresponding human protein.
However, it is important to consider that producing a functional human protein in a plant may not be as straightforward as gene transfer alone. The plant's cellular machinery, including its protein synthesis machinery, may be different from that of humans. This can impact the proper folding, post-translational modifications, and overall functionality of the human protein produced in the plant.
Moreover, genes are regulated differently in different organisms. Certain regulatory elements present in humans might not function optimally in plants, which could affect the expression of the spliced human protein gene. Additionally, any potential allergenicity or safety concerns associated with expressing human proteins in plants would need to be thoroughly evaluated.
In summary, while the same set of amino acids is used by plants, cows, and humans to make proteins, the variation in the protein sequence and folding patterns leads to the diverse structures and functions observed. While it is technically possible to splice a human protein gene into a plant's genome, there are several additional factors to consider to ensure the production of a functional, safe, and properly regulated human protein in plants.