Download AP Biology The Biochemistry and Cell Signaling Pathway of the

AP Biology
The Biochemistry and Cell Signaling Pathway of the Mc1r Gene
Use the pdf document for introduction and directions. Record your answers on this sheet to submit to your teacher.
You will need to color the amino acids in order to answer the questions below.
Questions
1. Where is the melanocortin 1 receptor located, and what is its role in the cell?
2.
a. What does the following shape on the data page represent?
b. Why is the phospholipid membrane included in the figure with respect to the MC1R receptor’s location
and three-dimensional structure? (Hint: Refer to the Introduction and Question 1 above.)
3. Using the information provided in the Introduction, create a simple flow chart depicting the MC1R pathway. There
should be a minimum of five steps in the pathway. Be sure to include reception, a portion of the transduction
pathway, and the cellular response.
4. Complete the table below comparing the chemistry of amino acids in the wild-type MC1R protein and the mutant
MC1R protein. Amino Acid Mutation Position Number
Amino Acid Mutation
Position Number
Example 1
Wild-type MC1R
Amino Acid Chemistry
Polar (hydrophilic), neutrally-charged
Mutant MC1R
Amino Acid Chemistry
Electrically-charged, negative (acidic)
5. The wild-type (normal) Mc1r gene results in the light coat-color phenotype, while the mutated Mc1r gene results in
the dark coat-color phenotype. Based on your knowledge of the MC1R signaling pathway (Question 3), cell
signaling, and the chemistry of the amino acid changes (Question 4), write a hypothesis for each of the following
questions.
a. How could the two extracellular mutations lead to the dark phenotype? (Hint: Think about the chemistry of
the amino acids, particularly their charge.)
b. How could the two intracellular mutations lead to the dark phenotype? (Hint: Think about the chemistry of
the amino acids, particularly their charge.)
c.
How does the wild-type MC1R result in the light phenotype? (Hint: It might be helpful to think of it as NOT
resulting in the dark phenotype.)
Adapted from HHMI