Hey
,
In this assignment you need to refer to genes being the unit of inheritance, genes that unzip and produce mRNA, tRNA, polypeptides and then proteins of all different kinds (structural, catalytic, immunological to name a few).
Gene expression is the transfer of information from a gene to produce a protein or RNA.
Maintenance - Enzymes are proteins. Your body is maintained by enzymes. Also, genes code for the production of new cells. You could say how bones are replaced every 10 years or so in their entirety, and how many hndreds of thousands of blood cells die every second and are replaced by new ones, how skin cells fall off and are replaced by the genetic code which produces new proteins.
Repair - New structural proteins are produced from the genetic infromation in cells. After a cut, division occurs and new cells form which become specialised.
As mentioned, talk about proto-oncogenes, the p53 gene, the tumour supressor gene, CDK and cyclin (the last two aren't mentioned in the text book).
"CDK and cyclin are key molecules that control and coordinate DNA-synthesis, chromosome separation and cell division. CDK and cyclin together drive the cell from one cell cycle phase to the next.
Maybe check out:
US National Health Museum
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/GG/protein_synthesis.html
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/GG/steps_to_Prot.html