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Science
Quarter 3
Self-Learning Module 3
Central Dogma of the Transfer
of Genetic Information
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 I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
explain how protein is made using information from DNA (S10LT-IIId-37). The
scope of this module allows you to use it in many different learning situations. The
language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you
read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using. This
module will discuss lesson on central dogma of the transfer of genetic information.

After going through this module, you are expected to

1. explain how protein is made using information from DNA,
2. differentiate translation and transcription in the DNA process and
3. identify the amino acids using genetic code table.

Lesson Central Dogma of the Transfer

1 of Genetic Information

Lesson Overview
In molecular biology, central dogma illustrates the flow of genetic
information from DNA to RNA to protein. It is defined as a process in which the
information in DNA is converted into a functional product.

Figure 1. Central Dogma of the Transfer of Genetic Information

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 Genes contain information necessary for different bodily processes. The
genetic information is in a form of a code - the DNA code composed of long chains of
nitrogen bases, adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). The
pairing of bases is very specific; adenine pairs with thymine only and vice versa,
guanine with cytosine only and vice versa.

Figure 2. An example of an RNA base with codons and amino acids

DNA Replication
DNA replication is a process that occurs during cellular division where two
identical molecules of DNA are created from a single molecule of DNA. As a
semiconservative process, a single molecule containing two strands of DNA in
double helix formation is separated, where each strand serves as a template for the
new DNA molecules. Please see Fig.3 below.

Figure 3. DNA Replication

Protein synthesis occurs in the ribosomes of the cells. It involves two
major processes- transcription and translation.

Transcription
Before a protein can be synthesized, the DNA information or code must first
be copied or transcribed to a type of RNA called mRNA (messenger RNA). The
DNA codes that are transcribed into mRNA are carried as units called codons. Each

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codon consists of three nitrogenous bases coding for a particular amino acid
(please see fig. 2). Codons are usually written as the first letters of their bases. For
example, the codon AUG stands for the sequence of nitrogenous bases adenine
(A), uracil (U), and guanine (G). Where did uracil came from? The nitrogenous
thymine (T) is converted into uracil (U) during transcription.

In eukaryotic cells, transcription occurs in the nucleus. After transcription,

the resulting mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm,
the mRNA attaches to a ribosome.

Translation

The process of translation takes place in the ribosome. During this process,
the code carried by the mRNA is translated into a sequence of amino acids that
will form the protein molecule.

Another type of RNA floating in the cytoplasm, the tRNA (transfer RNA),
carries a special triplet of bases called anticodon, which is complementary to a
codon in the mRNA molecules. During the translation, the anticodon on the tRNA
base-pairs with the appropriate codon in the mRNA. The tRNA also carries the
amino acid corresponding to the mRNA codon it base-pairs with. Figure 4 shows the
mRNA codons and their corresponding amino acids.

CODONS AMINO ACIDS

Figure 4. mRNA Codons and the Corresponding Amino Acids

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 Translation begins with a start codon, which is AUG of the mRNA. AUG codes
for the amino acid, methionine. Succeeding tRNAs then transport their amino acids
to the ribosome. The ribosome travels along the mRNA and adds the amino acids to
the growing polypeptide chain. When a ribosome encounters a stop codon (UAA,
UAG, or UGA), it detaches from the mRNA. This is the last stage of translation. The
product of translation is a polypeptide chain and it will undertake different kinds of
adjustments to finally become a functional protein.

I Will Do This

Activity 1: Central Dogma

Read the selection and fill out the blanks using the samples below.

The flow of information is followed through three different processes which

are responsible for the inheritance of genetic information and for its conversion from
one form to another:

1. Replication: a double stranded nucleic acid is duplicated to give identical

copies. We remember that nitrogenous bases Adenine pairs with Thymine
and Guanine pairs with Cytosine. Take a look the example of DNA
replication below:

Full DNA strand sample

Old Strand → AAC GCA TGC AAT TCA GAC TTA ACT
Complimentary→ TTG CGT ACG TTA AGT CTG AAT TGA Strand

Replication
Old Strand → AAC GCA TGC AAT TCA GAC TTA ACT New Strand
→ TTG CGT ACG TTA AGT CTG AAT TGA

New Strand → AAC GCA TGC AAT TCA GAC TTA ACT
Complimentary→ TTG CGT ACG TTA AGT CTG AAT TGA Strand

Write the full DNA strand (please see the example above):

Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT
Complimentary→ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Strand

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 Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT
New Strand → ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

New Strand → ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Complimentary→ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Strand

2. Transcription: a DNA segment that constitutes a gene is read and

transcribed into a single stranded sequence of RNA. The RNA moves
from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. In RNA, uracil (U) base-pairs with
adenine and replaces thymine (T) during DNA transcription.

Full DNA strand sample

Old Strand → AAC GCA TGC AAT TCA GAC TTA ACT
Complimentary→ TTG CGT ACG TTA AGT CTG AAT TGA Strand

Transcription
Complimentary→ TTG CGT ACG TTA AGT CTG AAT ACT Strand

Transcripted → AAC GCA UGC AAU UCA GAC AAU UGA RNA
(mRNA)

Write the full RNA strand (please see the example above):
Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT
Transcripted→ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
RNA (mRNA)

3. Translation: the RNA sequence is translated into a sequence of amino acids as

the protein is formed. During translation, the ribosome reads three bases (a
codon) at a time from the RNA and translates them into one amino acid.

Translation
Transcripted→ AAC GCA UGC AAU UCA GAC AAU UGA

RNA (mRNA)
Amino Acids → asparagine-alanine-cysteine-asparagine-serine-
aspartic acid-asparagine-stop

Write the full RNA strand (please see the example above):
Transcripted→ UAG CCG ACU CGA ACU CGG AUU UGA RNA
(mRNA)
Amino Acids → stop… (UAG is a stop codon)

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 The Genetic Code is the code our body uses to convert the
instructions contained in our DNA the essential materials of life. It is
typically discussed using the “codons” found in mRNA, as mRNA is the
messenger that carries information from the DNA to the site of protein
synthesis. Please refer to the figure below.

Figure 1.2. The Genetic Code Table

Analysis Questions:
1. Why is specific base pairing essential to the processes of transcription and
translation?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. What will happen to the protein synthesis if the bases were mistakenly paired
with the wrong base pair?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

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 I Will Practice

Complete the table below using the genetic code table below.
Order of Bases in Order of Bases in Amino Acid Coded into
DNA mRNA (codon) Proteins
TAG
CGG
AUG methionine (start)
TAG
ACU
ATC
UUA

To determine the order of the bases in the first column (DNA), second column (codon),
and the third column (anti-codon), consider the complimentary base pairs in DNA.

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 I Will Apply

Use the circular codon table to complete the DNA triplets, mRNA codons, tRNA
anticodons, and amino acids in the table below.

DNA triplet mRNA codon tRNA anticodon Amino Acid

AAG
GGC
CAG
UUA
AAA
GTA
CUC
ACA

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 TAT
AGC
AUU
CCA
GGC

Follow-up Questions:
1. What 3 codons act as termination signals?_________________
2. What codon means start?_____________________
3. List ALL of the codons for leucine.________________
Name ALL the codons for these amino acids:
4. Phenylalanine-_______________
5. Serine-_______________
6. Isoleucine-____________
7. Valine-_______________
8. Glycine-______________
9. Alanine-______________
10. If the DNA sequence is AAA TAT CCG TAG CAA ATG, write the mRNA
sequence, tRNA anticodon sequence, and the six amino acids for this.
DNA: AAA TAT CCG TAG CAA ATG
mRNA: ________________________________________
tRNA: ________________________________________

References
Book:
Baguio, S., Felicerta, C., Manosa, S., & Satisteban-Cook, C. (2015).
Breaking Through Science 10 (K-12 Edition). C & E Publishing, Inc.

Websites:
Molecular Basis of Inheritance. (n.d.). GELI Question Papers. Retrieved January
31, 2021, from http://www.questionpapers.net.in/blog/2012/molecular-basis-of-
inheritance-mcqs-quiz-4/
Central dogma. (n.d.). Khanacademy.Org. Retrieved January 31, 2021, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/gene-expression-central-
dogma/central-dogma-transcription/e/central-dogma

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 Answer Key

Grade 10- Module 3

Lesson 1: Central Dogma of the Transfer of Genetic Information
I WILL DO THIS
Replication
Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT
Complimentary→ TAG CGG ACT CGA ACT CCG ATT TGA Strand

Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT New Strand
→ TAG CGG ACT CGA ACT CCG ATT TGA

New Strand → TAG CGG ACT CGA ACT CCG ATT TGA
Complimentary→ ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT Strand

Transcription
Old Strand → ATC GCC TGA GCT TGA GGC TAA ACT Strand

Transcripted→ UAG CCG ACU CGA ACU CGG AUU UGA RNA
(mRNA)

Translation:
Transcripted→ UAG CCG ACU CGA ACU CGG AUU UGA RNA
(mRNA)
Amino Acids → stop… (UAG is a stop codon)
I WILL DO THIS
Order of Bases in Order of Bases in Amino Acid Coded into
DNA mRNA (codon) Proteins
TAG AUC isoleucine
CGG GCC alanine
TAC AUG methionine (start)
TAG AUC isoleucine
TGA ACU threonine
ATC UAG stop
AAT UUA leucine
I WILL PRACTICE

Given the DNA full strand sample, complete the processes until translation. For
the protein synthesis, refer to the genetic code table below.

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Full DNA strand

Old Strand → ACC GCC AGC AAT TGA AAC GTA ACG
Complimentary→ TGG CGG TCG TTA ACT TTG CAT TGC Strand

Replication
Old Strand → ACC GCC AGC AAT TGA AAC GTA ACG New Strand
→ TGG CGG TCG TTA ACT TTG CAT TGC

New Strand → TGG CGG TCG TTA ACT TTG CAT TGC
Complimentary→ ACC GCC AGC AAT TGA AAC GTA ACG Strand

Transcription
Old Strand → ACC GCC AGC AAT TGA AAC GTA ACG
TranscripteD→ UGG CGG UCG UUA ACU UUG CAU UGC
RNA

Translation

Transcripted → UGG CGG UCG UUA ACU UUG CAU

UGC
RNA
Amino Acids → tryptophan- arginine-serine- stop (UUA is a stop
codon)

I WILL APPLY
DNA triplet mRNA codon tRNA anticodon Amino Acid
TTC AAG UUC lysine

GGC CCG GGC proline

GTC CAG GUC glutamine

TTA AAU UUA asparagine

AAA UUU AAA phenylalanine

GTA CAU GUA histidine

CTC GAG CUC glutamic acid

TGT ACA UGU threonine

TAT AUA UAU isoleucine

TCG AGC UCG serine

ATT UAA AUU stop

CCA GGU CCA glycine

GGC CGG GGC arginine

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1. UAA, UGA, UAG
2. AUG - METHIONINE
3. CUC, CUU, CUA, CUG, UUA, UUG
4.UUU, UCC
5.UCG, UCC, UCA, UCU, AGU, AGC
6.AUC, AUU, AUA
7. GUA, GUG, GUC, GUU
8. GGC, GGU, GGA, GGG
9. GCA, GCG, GCC, GCU
10. AAA- TAT- CGG- TAG- CAA- ATG
UUU- AUA- GGC- AUC- GUU- UAC
AAA- UAU- CCG- UAG- CAA- AUG

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 Written Assessment No. 3 Worksheet

Concept Check

Name: _________________________________ Grade & Section: ___________

Multiple Choice. Read each item carefully. Select the letter of the best answer.
1. The DNA sequence ATCAGCGCTGGCCGG is part of a gene. How
many amino acids are coded for by this message?
A. 5 B.8 C.10 D.12

2. Which direction does genetic information flow during gene expression?

A. DNA – RNA- Protein C. RNA- DNA- mRNA B. protein- RNA-
DNA D. DNA- RNA- tRNA

3. Which sequence of DNA bases would pair with this partial strand TGA AGG
TGG?
A. AGG TGA CAG C. AGC TTC CCG
B. TCC ACT GTC D. ACT TCC ACC

4. What are the 4 nitrogen bases?

A. adenine, thymine, cytoplasm, and guanine
B. adenine, thymine cytosine, and guanine
C. adenine, thymine, cytosine, and glucose
D. adenine, thymine, cytosine, and glycerol
5. During transcription, if the nucleotide sequence of the DNA strand that is being
coded is CTCTGG, then the nucleotide sequence in the mRNA would be _____.
A. UAGGCG B.AUCCCG C.GAGACC D. CGGAUC

6. The following DNA strand is used as a template for transcription:

GGCACTCATTCAA. Which of the following RNA strands will be produced?

A. CCGUGAGUAAGUU C. CCGUGAGUAAGAU B.
CCGUGACUAAGUU D. CCGUGAGAAAGUU

7. A sequence of RNA is shown as AUG GGG AAG UGU UGG. What is the
sequence of amino acids that is produced when this RNA is translated?

A. Met - Gly - Asn - Cys – Tyr C. Ile - Gly - Lys - Thr - Stop B. Ile -
Gly - Lys - Trp – Stop D. Met - Gly - Lys - Cys – Trp

8. The following RNA strand was produced AUG GCG UUU. Which of
the following DNA strands could have been the template for this RNA?
A. TAC CGC ATA C. TTC CGC AAA
 B. TAC CGC AAA D. TAC CGC TTT

9. The end product of translation is _________.

A. amino acids B. polypeptides C. DNA D. RNA
10. Which of the following does not take part in central dogma of
molecular biology?
A. replication C. mutation
B. translation D. transcription

Reflection:
During the lessons that you have encountered in this module, you have
learned that the processes from DNA replication to translation are quite
complicated. In what terms does the tRNA help in protein synthesis?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – SDO Bacolod City
Office Address: Rosario-San Juan Sts., Bacolod City,
Philippines 1600
Telefax: (034) 704-2585
e-mail Address: bacolod.city@deped.gov.ph

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