Republic of the Philippines

1
Department of Education
Bureau of Learning Delivery
Teaching and Learning Division

SUPPLEMENTARY
LEARNING MATERIAL IN
EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCES

Grade Level: Grades 11 and 12

Core Subject: Earth and Life Sciences
Semester: First

Learning Competency:
S11/12LT-IIej-16
Explain how the information in the DNA
allows the transfer of genetic information
and synthesis of proteins
LEARNING COMPETENCY

Grade Level: Grades 11 and 12

Core Subject: EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCES
Semester: First
 2

LEARNING COMPETENCY

S11/12LT-IIej-16
Explain how the information in the DNA
allows the transfer of genetic information
and synthesis of proteins
 3

Supplementary Learning Module for Senior High School Learners

Lesson
Protein Synthesis

BEGIN!

The traits that we share with our parents are expressions of the importance of the
storage and transmission of genetic information. It is also through the DNA sequence
that we determine the expression of a particular unit through the proteins which are
made.
In this module, you will learn about the synthesis of protein as they play roles
towards the creation of codes necessary for reproduction and genetic work. Are you up
for it? Then, be ready to learn and accomplish the tasks ahead.

YOUR TARGETS

Hi! I am Teacher Agha! I’m going to guide you in

your journey to this module.
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
 Explain how the information in the DNA
allows the transfer of genetic information
 Describe each process to the synthesis of
proteins

TRY THIS!

Instructions: Identify what is asked or described in each item. Encircle the letter of the
correct answer.
1. All of the following bases are found in DNA except:
 4

A) Uracil
B) Adenine
C) Guanine
D) Thymine
2. The process of using an mRNA to make a protein is called as
A) Replication
B) Translation
C) Transcription
D) Division
3. Complete the base sequence of the base pairs (which is the correct sequence?). 
ACAGTGC
A) CACUGUA
B) UGUCACG
C) GUGACAU
D) TGTCACG
4. What are the DNA base pairing rules?
A) Adenine to Guanine, Cytosine to Thymine
B) Adenine to Cytosine, Thymine to Guanine
C) Adenine to Thymine, Cytosine to Guanine
D) Adenine to Uracil, Thymine to Guanine
5. How many amino acids are there?
A) 17
B) 18
C) 19
D) 20

Hi! I am Teacher Jam! I wish to congratulate you!

Please check your answers at the answer key section. If you got a
perfect score of 5, you may skip the module but if you got 4 or lower,
I suggest that you take the learning module seriously. 

DO THIS!

WHAT DID I GET?

Instructions: Examine the picture and answer the questions that follow.
(Note: The teacher may create pairs/ groups to work on the activity.)
 5

EXPLORE!

1. What similarities can you see from the mother and the daughter in the picture?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Is it possible for the child to inherit some physical characteristics from the
parents?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

The first lesson will teach you on how DNA makes genetics more meaningful in
heredity.

KEEP THIS IN MIND

A gene is defined as the factor that controls the inheritance of a character. This
definition is in terms of the gene’s function, or what it does. But what is the gene in
terms of its structure?
 6

Scientists
discovered that
deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) is the genetic
material; that is, it is here
where the gene is located.
How do we define a gene
by its structure? A gene is
a portion of a DNA
molecule that is
responsible for the
transmission of a trait from
parents to offspring.

In humans, every
cell contains 46
chromosomes, each made
up of two chromatids. Each
chromatid consists of DNA and protein molecules. Each DNA contains several genes.
On the average, a gene which is a short segment of a DNA, could be 30,000 and
35,000 human genes. A complete set of chromosomes in a human cell contains millions
of nitrogenous base pairs.

Can you see now how it is possible for a few chromosomes to contain a great
number of genes that control the expression of a wide variety of traits? And can you
imagine how many thousands of genes are transmitted from generation to generation
during reproduction?

Meanwhile, DNA has also been the key towards understanding some truth. DNA
testing has become advanced and a reliable source of information. The DNA tests may
also be used in giving answers to parental doubts, child custody and support cases.   It
has also been utilized to identify dead bodies defaced or dismembered in some gory
accident or fiery siege.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Part I
Instructions: Get a picture of your parents or close family members. List down the
observable similarities in your physical appearances with your parents which you
believe have resulted from the passing of genes from them to you. (Note: The teacher
 7

may create pairs/ groups to work on the activity.)

Father Mother

Part II
Instructions: Read the situation below and do the task that follows. (Note: The teacher
may create pairs/ groups to work on the activity.)

Mario lives with his parents and his brother Mark. Maria decided to take a DNA
test using samples from his brother Mark. After sometime, he received the email with
the results that included a chart, which he struggled to understand - but something
written underneath immediately caught his eye: "Estimated relationship: 50%."
What is your opinion regarding the situation? Use the idea of DNA in the
transfer of the genetic information to expand your idea.

Your answer here

DO THIS!

S-T-E-P-S

Instructions: Arrange the events in the most logical order for a student when coming to
school. Put A for the first event, then, B and so on. (Note: The teacher may create pairs/
groups to work on the activity.)

_______________1. Riding on a vehicle

 8

_______________2. Brushing teeth

_______________3. Taking a bath
_______________4. Eating breakfast
_______________5. Wearing of uniform

EXPLORE!

1. Do you have a unified sequence of processes?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. Is it possible that you have a non-unified sequence of processes?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

The next lesson will teach you on that the sequence of processes under central
dogma as it makes proteins. Can its’ sequence be altered too?

KEEP THIS IN MIND

DNA alone cannot account for the

expression of genes. The ribonucleic acid
(RNA) is needed to help carry out the instructions
in DNA.
 9

Almost immediately after the structure of DNA was elucidated by Watson and
Crick, the mechanism by which genetic information was maintained within a cell and
used to create proteins became apparent.  This mechanism has become known as the
"Central Dogma of Molecular Biology". 
The Central Dogma has three main parts:

1. Genetic information is preserved and transmitted to new cells and offspring by a

duplication process called replication.  Replication occurs as a part of mitosis.

Old Strand of DNA

TAC – CTG – TAG – AGG – CTC – TTC – ATG – CAG – AAG – ATC

New Strand of DNA

ATG – GAC – ATC – TCC – GAG – AAG – TAC – GTC – TTC – TAG

2. Genetic information stored in the nucleus is made

available to the rest of the cell by the creation of
numerous temporary copies known as messenger
RNA (mRNA) through a process known
as transcription. Transcription is the process in
which a gene's DNA sequence is copied
(transcribed) to make an RNA molecule. mRNA is
similar to DNA in that it consists of a long, specific
sequence of nucleotides.  It differs in that it is
single-stranded, contains the sugar ribose rather
than deoxyribose in its backbone, and utilizes the
base uracil in place of thymine.  Transcription is a
major part of one of the most important aspects
of gene expression, the "turning on" of genes in
appropriate cells at appropriate times. 

Old Strand of DNA

TAC – CTG – TAG – AGG – CTC – TTC – ATG – CAG – AAG – ATC
mRNA
AUG – GAC – AUC – UCC –GAG –AAG –UAC – GUC – UUC – UAG

3. In the cytoplasm,
ribosomes construct
specific proteins by
interpreting the
sequence of bases in
mRNA.  This process
is known
as translation.  The
genetic code which
 10

allows ribosomes to assemble the correct amino acids in the correct order is the
subject of the following section. In translation, mRNA along with transfer
RNA (tRNA) and ribosomes work together to produce proteins. In here, the triplet
codons (three letter representations) are translated as amino acids. Amino acids
combine to form proteins.

tRNA
UAC – CUG – UAG – AGG – CUC – UUC – AUG – CAG – AAG – AUC
Protein
met – asp – ile – ser – glu – lys – tyr – val – phe – stop

The genetic
code chart may be
used to determine
the triplet code(s)
for each amino
acid. Note that, if
the first letter in the
left-hand column Is
A, the second letter
indicated on the
top row is U and
the third letter in
the right hand is G,
the intersection cell
for AUG is
equivalent to
methionine (the
start codon).

The genetic code wheel can

also be used depending on your
preference.

Amino acids are organic

compounds that combine to
form proteins. Amino acids and
proteins are the building blocks of life.
When proteins are digested or broken
down, amino acids are left. The
human body uses amino acids to
 11

make proteins to help the body: break down food, grow, repair body tissue, and perform
many other body functions. Amino acids can also be used as a source of energy by the
body.

The twenty amino acids (that make up proteins) each have assigned to them
both three-letter (can be upper or lower case). This makes it quicker and easier for
notation purposes and are worth learning.

 alanine - ala
 arginine - arg
 asparagine - asn
 aspartic acid - asp
 cysteine - cys
 glutamine - gln
 glutamic acid - glu
 glycine - gly
 histidine - his
 isoleucine - ile
 leucine - leu
 lysine - lys
 methionine - met
 phenylalanine -
phe
 proline - pro
 serine - ser
 threonine - thr
 tryptophan - trp
 tyrosine - tyr
 valine - val

Since proteins are the structural core of the cell and since proteins (in the
form of enzymes) control nearly all of the cell's metabolism, the ability to specify
protein structure makes DNA the primary determinant of the structure and
function of cells.  The Central Dogma is a major organizing principle in molecular
biology and the organization of DNA in cells and genes cannot be fully
understood except in its context.

APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Part I
Instructions: Complete the table below by writing the major events in every process of
the central dogma.
 12

Replication Transcription Translation

Part II
Instructions: Perform transcription and translation to the given triplet codons below.
AUG CCA GUA

GUG CUA AUA

REFLECT!

Congratulations on the finishing the supplementary learning module! You have

just had an amazing learning journey and for sure, you will also do the same in the
succeeding modules.
For the last time, share to the class your final insights by completing the following
sentence prompts.

I have learned that _____________________________________________.

I wish to ask my teacher about ____________________________________.

LEARN MORE!

1. Individually, watch the video in the website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=oefAI2x2CQM.
2. By pair or group, show your learnings in the module by choosing from any of the
 13

platforms suggested below to be submitted to your teacher.

 a computer graphic or poster
 a one- page article/ essay
 a one-minute video

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Instructions: Identify what is asked or described in each item. Encircle the letter of the
correct answer.
1. What pairs with Cytosine?
A) Uracil
B) Adenine
C) Guanine
D) Thymine
2. The process of duplication is called as
A) Replication
B) Translation
C) Transcription
D) Division
3. Complete the base sequence of the base pairs in transcription for the triplet
codon  TGC.
A) GUA
B) ACG
C) CAU
D) ACG
4. Amino acids make up proteins. The statement is:
A) True
B) False
C) Either a or b
D) No enough information
5. The Amino acid glutamic acid has a symbol of ______.
A) gln
B) glu
C) gls
D) glt

Hi! I am back to congratulate you again!

Please check your answers against the answer key at the back. I
hope you got a perfect score by this time. But if you still have some
errors, you may read the module again or set a conference with
your teacher until you learn. 
 14

GLOSSARY

The following terms used in this module

are defined as follows…

Central Dogma- an explanation of the flow of genetic information

within a biological system developed by James Watson and
Francis Crick to describe the process of protein production:
DNA to RNA to protein.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) - An organic acid and polymer composed of four

nitrogenous bases — adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine — linked via
intervening units of phosphate and the pentose sugar deoxyribose.

Gene- A portion of DNA that contains instructions for making a protein.

mRNA (messenger RNA)- A type of RNA involved in protein production. DNA is

transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into amino acids to form
proteins.

Protein- A polymer of amino acids linked via peptide bonds and which may be
composed of two or more polypeptide chains.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)- An organic acid composed of repeating nucleotide units of

adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, whose ribose components are linked by
phosphodiester bonds.
 15

ANSWER KEY

Try this!
1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. D

Apply What you have learned 1

Part I
Answers may vary.
Father Mother
Color of Hair Tallness
Widow’s peak Ability to roll tongue
Earlobe Attachment Skin color

Part II

Since the result shows that the estimated relationship is “50%” the DNA that Mario
possesses has a difference from that of Mark. This means that his genetic information
came from another mother or father and not the couple that they are with at the
moment.

Apply What you have learned 2

Replication Transcription Translation
Duplication/ mitosis Copying of DNA sequence Construction of specific
to make RNA proteins

Part II
methionine-proline-valine
serine-glutamic acid-tyrosine

Asses what you have learned

1. D
2. A
3. A
4. A
 16

5. A

REFERENCES

Amgen Foundation. 2019. "Khan Academy." RNA and protein synthesis review.
Accessed July 23, 2019. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-
biology/hs-molecular-genetics/hs-rna-and-protein-synthesis/a/hs-rna-and-protein-
synthesis-review.
Ash, Lucy. 2018. "BBC News." The Christmas present that could tear your family apart.
December 20. Accessed July 25, 2019.

Gonzales, Jomari. 1998. Essentials of Biology. Makati City: ACLC Trading Enterprises.
Kimmel, Elliot. 2016. "Zero Bio." True-False Quiz-DNA and Mutations. Accessed July
23, 2019. http://www.zerobio.com/tf_quiz8.htm.
Mackenzie, Ruairi J. 2018. "Technology Networks." DNA vs. RNA – 5 Key Differences
and Comparison. Janaury 24. Accessed July 23, 2019.
https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/lists/what-are-the-key-
differences-between-dna-and-rna-296719.
Research Guides, VU Libraries. 2018. "Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries." Literature
and Stats Guide: The genetic code and the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology.
December 18. Accessed July 23, 2019.
http://researchguides.library.vanderbilt.edu/c.php?g=69346&p=816436.
Shiel, William Jr. C. 2019. "MedicineNet." Medical Definition of Nucleic acid. Accessed
July 23, 2019. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4594.
ThoughtCo. 2019. "Dotdash." Translation: Making Protein Synthesis Possible.
Accessed July 23, 2019. https://www.thoughtco.com/protein-synthesis-
translation-373400.
17
 18

This section serves as a reference material which you may use to recall from the
lessons in Junior High School.

Nucleic acid (polynucleotides) is a family of large

molecules made up of long strands of nucleotides and are an
essential part of every living thing. Nucleic acids were named
so because they were first found in the nucleus of cells, but have
been discovered to exist also outside of the nucleus. The two chief
types of nucleic acids are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid which
contains the hereditary information in humans and, RNA (ribonucleic
acid) which delivers the instructions coded in this information to the cell’s
protein manufacturing sites.

Moreover, nucleic acids are also known as

polynucleotides because they are composed of many
nucleotides linked together in a long chain. Each
nucleotide is chemically made up of three components
namely,
1) a five-carbon sugar or pentose,
2) a phosphate group, and
3) a nitrogenous base.

The nitrogenous bases fall into two

classes: the purines (nine-membered
double-ringed) and the pyrimidines (six-
membered, single-ringed). In DNA, the
common purines are adenine (A) and
guanine (G), and the most common
pyrimidines are thymine (T) and cytosine
(C). The RNA molecule also contains
adenine, guanine and cytosine, but instead
of a thymine another pyrimidine, uracil (U),
is substituted.
 19

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) are perhaps the most
important molecules in cell biology, responsible for the storage and reading of genetic
information that underpins all life. They are both linear polymers, consisting of sugars,
phosphates and bases, but there are some key differences which separate the two.
These distinctions enable the two molecules to work together and fulfil their essential
roles. In the table, we look at 5 key differences between DNA and RNA.

Comparison DNA RNA

Name Deoxyribonucleic Acid  Ribonucleic Acid
Function DNA replicates and stores genetic
information. It is a blueprint for all
genetic information contained
within an organism
Structure DNA consists of two strands,
arranged in a double helix. These
strands are made up of subunits
called nucleotides. Each
nucleotide contains a phosphate,
a 5-carbon sugar molecule and a
nitrogenous base.
Length DNA is a much longer polymer
than RNA. A chromosome, for
example, is a single, long DNA
molecule, which would be several
Sugar The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose,
which contains one less hydroxyl
group than RNA’s ribose.  modifications of deoxyribose.
Nitrogen The bases in DNA are Adenine
Bases (‘A’), Thymine (‘T’), Guanine (‘G’)
and Cytosine (‘C’).
Base Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T)
Pairing Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C-
G)
Location DNA is found in the nucleus, with
a small amount of DNA also
present in mitochondria.
RNA converts the genetic
information contained within DNA to
a format used to build proteins, and
then moves it to ribosomal protein
factories. 
RNA only has one strand, but like
DNA, is made up of nucleotides.
RNA strands are shorter than DNA
strands. RNA sometimes forms a
secondary double helix structure,
but only intermittently. 
RNA molecules are variable in
length, but much shorter than long
DNA polymers. A large RNA
molecule might only be a few
thousand base pairs long. 
RNA contains ribose sugar
molecules, without the hydroxyl
RNA shares Adenine (‘A’), Guanine
(‘G’) and Cytosine (‘C’) with DNA,
but contains Uracil (‘U’) rather than
Thymine.
Adenine pairs with Uracil (A-U)
Cytosine and Guanine (C-G)
RNA forms in the nucleolus, and
then moves to specialized regions
of the cytoplasm depending on the
type of RNA formed. 

According to Watson and Crick, the DNA is a double

helix molecule. The DNA molecules consists of two
polynucleotides, or strands, wound around each other in aright-
handed double-helix; that is the two strands wind around each
 20

other in a clockwise (right-handed) fashion. The sugar-phosphate backbones are on

the outside, while the bases are oriented toward the central axis. The bases are
oriented toward the central axis. The bases of one polynucleotide are linked to specific
complementary bases of the other by weak hydrogen bonds. Adenine is paired with
thymine by two hydrogen bonds, while guanine is attached to cytosine by three
hydrogen bonds. This specific pairing between adenine and thymine, cytosine and
guanine is called complementary-base pairing.