Problem 1: A depressed person attempts to commit suicide by taking a whole bottle of sleeping pills. The pills cause a drastic decrease in the person's pH. The patient starts having breathing difficulties because the thick and thin filaments within the respiratory muscles are breaking down.
For the prompt this week, explain in depth the correlation between the person's pH and why their respiratory muscles are breaking down. Specifically:
A. Explain pH and the structural modifications proteins go through during their development.
B. How does a decrease in pH affect chemical bonds and protein structure?
C. What is the correlation between protein structure and function?
Problem 2: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. The consequence is production of an abnormal transmembrane protein that is responsible for producing sweat, mucus, and digestive fluids. Thus, cystic fibrosis is one example of a genetic mutation and the effect that has on the process of protein synthesis and protein function.
For the prompt this week, explain in depth the correlation between a defective gene and the abnormal protein that is produced. Specifically:
A. Detail the process involved in protein production, starting with the DNA sequence to the final protein product. Include descriptions of steps such as transcription, translation, etc.
B. Why does a mutation in the DNA sequence lead to the production of an abnormal protein?