Activity No.

5. Protein Synthesis Blueprint Activity.

Supposing the complementary sequence of bases in one strand is given below,

transcribe and translate this DNA sequence. Refer to the genetic code in Figure 4 for
the translated amino acid.

DNA T A C G G G C C C G T G A C A G C C A C T

mRNA A U G C C C G G G C A C U G U C G C U G A

Amino
acid
Meth Prol Glycine Hist Cyst Arginine Stop

(Start)

Figure 4. The Genetic Code (Adapted from google.com.images)

Identify the original sequence of bases in the DNA strand. Write your answer on the
corresponding box.

T A C G G G C C C G T G A C A G C C A C T
A T G C C C G G G C A C T G T C G G T G A

Concept Reveal:

Each triplet code on a DNA molecule is transcribed into a triplet codon on the
mRNA molecule.

If a DNA that codes for a polypeptide is:

T-A-C --- C-C-G --- T-A-G --- C-T-T --- A-C-T

Then the codons on the complimentary strand of mRNA codons look like this:

A-U-G --- G-G-C --- A-U-C --- G-A-A --- U-G-A

 Each combination of three nitrogenous bases on the mRNA molecule is a codon,
a three letter code for a specific amino acid.

The sequence encoded in the RNA molecule is decoded and converted into an
amino acid sequence in a process called translation. Translation is the synthesis of a
polypeptide using the information in the mRNA. During this stage, there is a change in
language: The cell must translate the nucleotide sequence of an mRNA molecule into
the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. The sites of translation are ribosomes,
complex particles that facilitate the orderly linking of amino acids into polypeptide
chains.

Cells are governed by a molecular chain of command with a directional flow of

genetic information, shown here by arrows:

Figure 5. Directional flow of genetic information.

This summary flow means that information passes from DNA to proteins via
RNA, but proteins cannot pass the information back to DNA. Proteins, which are the
final product of gene expression, are the ones responsible for the expression of
phenotypes or traits, the physical make-up of an organism.

After understanding this concept at the level of the cell, perform the activity by
comparing the cell’s DNA to the blueprint of a house. A house blueprint includes all the
information needed to build the house- the electrical, the plumbing, the framing, it's all
there. When the electrician shows up to install the wiring and outlets, he only needs the
information on the blueprint that applies to him. The same goes for cells.

1. Create a group with four members each.

2. Each student will be assigned a different job- a plumber, an electrician, a framer, and
a roofer.
3. On each job card is a promoter sequence (Promoter sequences are used by
transcription enzymes to know where to begin transcribing the gene). This will be
provided by the teacher.
4. Each student will scan through the DNA looking for their specific promoter sequence.
Once they find it, they begin the transcription and translation process until they reach a
stop codon.
5. Once each student has their genes transcribed they go to the house blueprint and
look up which trait the house will have based on the amino acid sequence
V. Post-Assessment

1. Speech Bubble Activity

Direction: Write letter D on the blank below the speech bubble for the DNA and R for
RNA.

I am single stranded
__R__

I am found only in the nucleus of eukaryotes

cells (exception during mitosis when nucleus is
__D__ temporarily disassembled)

I include the bases, guanine,

cytosine, and adenine D and R

I have the sugar ribose

__R___
I am arranged as double helix
or “twisted ladder”

___D__

In eukaryotes cells, I travel out of

the nucleus to a ribosome __R___
 2. Match up!

Directions: Match the process of protein synthesis on column A with the real life
situations in a candy factory on column B. Write only the letter of the correct answer on
the space provided.

Column A Column B

c 1. mRNA is created and copied from DNA a. workers pick up ingredients

e 2. mRNA exits through a nuclear pore,
cytoplasm, then ribosome
b 3. tRNA binds to an amino acid
a 4. loaded tRNA bounds to mRNA
at the ribosome
d 5. Protein chain grows with
each additional amino acid
f 6. The completed protein is used by cell
b. workers read recipe and goes to
combine ingredients
c. boss gives recipe to the messenger
d. recipe is followed and candy is made
e. messenger leaves boss and
delivers recipe to workers
f. workers eat some candy and sent
out

3. Concept Formation. List the series of events in protein synthesis based on Figure 4.

RNA
Initiation Transcription
Primer Synthesis Initiation
Leading Strand Synthesis Initiation Elongation
Lagging Strand Synthesis Elongation Termination
Primer Removal Termination
Ligation 5’Capping
Termination
Polyadenylation
Protein
DNA Replication Splicing
Translation
Figure 4. Protein Synthesis Steps (Adapted from google.com.images)