Nerd Box

 DNA replication – The process of replicating our DNA so that all the cells in our body has
a copy
 Transcription – The process of making mRNA with instructions based on the DNA
template. This is done in the nucleus
 Translation – The process of making a polypeptide chain using the mRNA as a template.
This is done in the cytoplasm, more specifically in the ribosome.
 Gene Expression – The process of transferring the information encoded in a gene to its
functional gene product.
 Gene Therapy – Application of gene technology to correct or replace defective genes.
 Genome – The entire haploid component of genetic material of a cell.
 Triplet – A set of three nucleotides that are read together in a DNA.
 Codon – Triplets in an mRNA. They will bind to their respective complementary
anticodons that will determine what proteins will continue the polypeptide chain.
 Anticodon – Triplets in a tRNA. They will bind to their respective complementary codons.
 Virus – An infective agent that consists of a DNA/ RNA and a protein coating.
 Prions - Misfolded proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases.
 Gene regulation - The process of activating and inactivating genes based on the type of
cell or the environment the cell is in.
 Epigenetics – Boosts or interfere genes based on the surroundings and experiences (diet,
environment, social experiences, etc.)
 Polymerase Chain Reaction – repeated cycle of heating and cooling to make copies of
DNA
 Gel Electrophoresis – submerging DNA in gel (Mostly agarose) and applying an electric
current to make the DNA move. The varying speeds of the movement can help
differentiate different DNAs from each other.
 Protein Synthesis – The process where new proteins are created.
 Constellation

1. In the process of translation, the anticodons of tRNAs will bind to the codons of mRNAs
which will determine which proteins will continue the polypeptide chain and the chain
will only end if one of the stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) is encountered.

2. The sequencing of human genomes have been made possible by the discovery of
methods like polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis as this methods can
duplicate DNA and we can know their respective lengths.

3. Viruses are harmful to the human body as they interrupt DNA replication, transcription
and translation so that they will also reproduce and after reproducing, they will
overpower our cells and kill them.

4. When a person has a defective genome or it mutated, it may cause some disabilities but
because of new technologies nowadays, these can be corrected using Gene therapy,
for example we can inject new cells that have been given the correct genes in a person
so that he can be cured.

5. Protein synthesis involves the process of DNA replication, transcription and translation
wherein DNA is replicated, converted into mRNA and then into proteins and then these
proteins will be folded and other biomolecules like carbohydrates will be added before it
can be used by the body for different functions.
 My Bright Idea

The island is a nice film. The first half of the movie is a little boring but it is needed to give
us the necessary background information to understand the plot of the movie. It has good
character development as the main characters progressed from being only educated up to 15
year olds to being able to think for themselves using the information they gathered and their real
life experiences. The second half of the movie however is very enjoyable. It was action packed
with a good climax and ending. Back in 2005, this concept must have been very futuristic but
right now, not so much. We have already successfully cloned a sheep so cloning a human may
not be very far-fetched.

In the film, the clones were made and raised to be as physically healthy as possible so
that their organs can be harvested and can be used by their rich exact copies. As the genes of
the rich humans are used to make them, their genes are identical. Their environment is also kept
clean and nice so that epigenetics will not activate or deactivate some genes. But this begs the
question, are the clones human? I mean, yes they are not created naturally but they still have
human cells. It was also shown in the ending parts that they when they were being destroyed,
they were at different stages as an embryo, so this means they are just like humans made
through in vitro fertilization. So in vitro or not, they are humans so what gives us the right to kill
them and sell their organs to rich people. What gives us the right to raise them like a pig raised
for slaughter? I think this is very wrong because they are no different than us. They are humans,
we are humans so doing this is no different than murder. This is again made even worse because
the clones can think and move and act like humans. They are not in vegetative states which we
can simply harvest and not be guilty.

Now, relating this to our society today, I think if this technology can be perfected, it will
not be used for this purpose. Using our technology today, it is already possible to make organs
and this is already good enough. Let us not follow the people in the film and make humans to
harvest. Let us not lose our humanity.

Another reason why I think that this will not be possible is because of the presence of the
church. They will not simply stand idly by as we play God. They will not accept that we will get to
make a human life and we get to decide when that human will die for the gain of the rich. In
conclusion, I think the movie was nice and for a 2005 movie, it really predicted the future well
and gave us valuable insights to ponder on.
 Own my Own

I can use these ideas of biotechnology in the future in many different ways. If that is the
career I want, then of course I can use it but even if it is not, it can still be used. For example, if I
want to use the services of biotechnicians and geneticists, then I at least, have some
background information.

I can relate the movie in many different subjects. First one is in Social Science. We can
relate the liberation of the clones to the Philippines today in a way that we cannot improve our
lives unless we are educated on what is really happening and we can take action to solve the
problems of the country. Another subject is in STR. These experiments should not have been
accepted even if they yielded good results because they have violated many rules of bioethics.
And lastly, we can relate it to PEHM, more specifically to health. The organs of the clones are in
good condition because their environment is kept clean. Their lifestyle of eating healthy food
and physical exercise also helps.
 Biology Journal
4th Quarter

Submitted to: Mrs. Frances Marie Alinio-Aniceto

Submitted by: Juan Miguel Sebastian E. Orille