Free Life Ain't A Fairy Tale by Miguel Rivera Page A

Krishna.
When Ras is on, it moves to where Raf is, deeper in the cell's
cytoplasm, to activate Raf. In other words, Ras turns on Raf,
another protein kinase."
    "Okay. What happens when Raf is active?"
    "Yes. This next step is simpler if you think
of Raf, Mek, and Erk, as protein kinases that behave similarly.
This means they all add phosphates to another molecule. When Raf is
on, Raf will put a phosphate on Mek. This causes Mek to turn
on."
    "Okay, hold on. So if Mek and Erk are similar
to each other, an active Mek should put a phosphate on Erk. What
molecule does Erk put a phosphate to?"
    "Right. You are a smart learner. I haven't
gotten to that part yet. Erk puts a phosphate on c-myc, a protein
that acts as a transcription factor. Now, c-myc will also turn on
like the other protein kinases, but it will do something else.
C-myc will migrate from the cytoplasm to the cell's nucleus. C-myc
transcribes DNA into RNA. This RNA becomes translated into other
cell cycle proteins and another EGF. The translated proteins will
be secreted out of the cell. These proteins promote cell division
and growth in the cell cycle. EGF will secrete out of the cell to
bind back to the receptor at the plasma membrane. The binding of
EGF to receptor begins the Raf/Mek/Erk Pathway again."
    After she understands better the pathway
during a very long tutoring session, I feel proud of myself. As
someone who never had a chance to be important in any social
circle, being a tutor makes me feel good. Sometimes, I shock myself
at how I can memorize complex concepts. I am not smart by any
stretch of the imagination. Everything I know and understand
concerning Biology is the result of studying for many hours. Often,
the first time I look at a textbook chapter, I am as confused as
Krishna. I feel great that Krishna will not spend the first few
hours of studying frustrated. When I was a student, I did not
understand anything at the beginning. Tutoring did not work for me
when I was a student because I memorize better when I am alone in
my room than when there are other people around me.
    During the entire morning, other students
from Krishna's class also came for tutoring when she left. It seems
the class Krishna is in will have an exam coming up tomorrow. They
all asked about the same signaling pathway and other related
pathways. The same explanation I gave to Krishna was the one I used
for these students. It was easier to explain the pathway again
because Krishna's tutoring lesson was still fresh in my mind.
    During my lunch break, I call my parents to
see how they are doing. I am not normally someone who actively
seeks to talk, but my parents are worth too much to cut complete
contact with them. My parents are always complaining about
ungrateful people who only talk to them when they are in need. I
can't be ungrateful to my parents. They are the only people in the
world who accept me as I truly am for the last 27 years. Even if I
moved in with Sara, my parents will always be in my life.
    "Hi, mama."
    "Hi. My love, my life, how are you
doing?"
    "I am fine. I am on my break."
    "How are you doing? Everything is going well
with Sara?"
    "Yes, mama. Everything is going well.
Everything is fine."
    "Is she taking very good care of you, my
love?"
    "Yes, she is a good woman. She drove me to my
job."
    "Oh, that's great. She is so nice. So is the
bed comfortable at Sara's house?"
    "Yes, the bed is comfortable. I slept as well
there as I did at my house."
    "Who prepared breakfast? What did you eat for
breakfast?"
    "Well, I eat cereal and milk like I always
do. Sara prepared breakfast." I lie to my mother. I don't want my
parents hating my girlfriend so quickly.
    "Oh, great. How is work today?"
    "It's good."
    "No problems of any kind?"
    "Nope."
    "No angry students or problem with any
students you are tutoring?"
    "No, the students are fine."
    "What were you tutoring about today?"
    "Oh, it was about Biology and stuff."
    "Okay. Your father wants to talk to you. I
love you and