On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 23:43:33 -0700, "Brandon" <chefaudet at yahoo.com>
wrote:
>>>> Brandon,
>>>> The promoter and the start codon are unrelated. The former is the
>> recognition site for starting RNA synthesis; the latter is the start
>> site for protein synthesis (and is basically irrelevant to RNA
>> synthesis, thus is irrelevant to what you are asking).
>>>> The promoter is long enough to adequately deal with the problem. That
>> is, you have properly described the problem. Not surprisingly, biology
>> has figured it out. The promoter is asymmetric, and is long
>> enough/rare enough that (most) transcription only starts in the right
>> places.
>>>>>> Once an mRNA has been made, a simple model is that translation then
>> starts at the first start codon. Actually, in the real world it is
>> more complex than that, but that is a simple idea to start with.
>>>>>> Do you have any molecular biology or microbiology book?
>>>> bob
>>>>>Thanks, that is helpfull in clearing up some of my problems. Unfortunately,
>this is just a "topics" class and not one that goes into the sort of detail
>that I would like to see in a science class. So I have neither a molecular
>biology or microbiology book. I must say though, that the class has my
>interest peaked. I hadn't considered biology as a major since highschool,
>but have considered it since starting this class. (currently working toward
>a business degree)
Ok. Many biology books, including those used for "biol 1" deal with
this at some level.
A book I might suggest...
D P Clark & L D Russell, Molecular Biology made simple and fun, 2/e.
Cache River Press, 2000. ISBN
1889899046. This book is intended for both a general audience and a
wide range of science students. It presents the basics
of molecular biology in a way that is readable and fun, yet
scientifically quite sound. It may be helpful as an introduction for
some students. Others will just find it fun.
For a brief preview of the book, check their web site:
http://www.cacheriverpress.com/
It is an inexpensive paperback (about $35 I think), available mainly
thru them directly. It is readable by high school kids or your mother.
So it would not be a big investment to get it, and you could easily
find a good home for it when/if done. Could be a good place to start,
if you would like to do some reading on your own.
And by the way, there is much need for people who combine business and
biology. The biotech industry has been one of the great booms of the
last couple of decades, with -- presumbaly -- much more to come.
bob
