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SCIENCE
QUARTER 3 – MODULE 3
WEEK 4

Changes in
Genetic Code

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 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here
to help you master the nature of Biology. The scope of this module
permits it to be used 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.
The module is divided into two lessons, namely:
Lesson 1 – Protein Synthesis
Lesson 2 – Mutation

In this module you will learn to:

1. create a model of the structure of DNA and describe the importance of
it within our cells;
2. explain how genes code for proteins;
3. define mutation;
4. identify the types of mutation; and
5. determine the cause and effect of mutation.

What I Know
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. It is a process where there is the conversion of messages carried by
mRNA into amino acid sequences.
A. DNA repair B. Replication C. Translation D. Transcription
2. tRNA has peptidal transferase activity. This statement is _______.
A. True B. False C. cannot be determined d. ------------
3. The following set of RNA is required in the translation process EXCEPT
A. mRNA B. SiRNA C. rRNA D. tRNA
4. Which is considered as a start codon?
A. AGG B. AUG C. GUG D. UAG
5. Which is NOT a stop codon?
A. GGA B. UA C. UAG D. UGA
6. Which is not true about the nature of a genetic code? Codons are ______.
A. triplet C. overlapping
B. comma less D. universal
7. Which enzyme recognizes a specific amino acid and its cognate t-RNA molecule?
A. Ribosome B. r-RNA C. t-RNA synthetase D. Topoisomerase
8. In the ribosome, mRNA binds
A. between the subunits. C. to the small subunit.
B.to the large subunit. D. none of these
9.Which is a necessary component in the translation of genetic code?
A. Amino acid C. Ligase
B. Anticodon D. mRNA
10. Amino acids are joined together into a protein chain by which of the
following?
A. DNA polymerase C. Messenger RNA
B. Hydrogen bonds D. Transfer RNA

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Lesson
Protein Synthesis
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What’s In
Your DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the genes that
determine who you are. How can this organic molecule control your
characteristics? DNA contains instructions for all the proteins your body makes.
Proteins, in turn, determine the structure and function of all your cells.
What determines a protein’s structure? It begins with the sequence of amino
acids that make up the protein. Instructions for making proteins with the correct
sequence of amino acids are encoded in DNA.

What’s New
Transcription and translation take the information in DNA
and use it to produce proteins. Transcription uses a strand of
DNA as a template to build a molecule called RNA.
The RNA molecule is the link between DNA and the production of proteins.
During translation, the RNA molecule created in the transcription process
delivers information from the DNA to the protein-building machines.

DNA → RNA → Protein

Figure 1. Shows DNA and RNA’s difference in

structure.(technologynetworks.com)

DNA and RNA are similar molecules and

are both built from smaller molecules called
nucleotides. Proteins are made from a
sequence of amino acids rather than
nucleotides. Transcription and translation are
the two processes that convert a sequence of
nucleotides from DNA into a sequence of
amino acids to build the desired protein.
These two processes are essential for life.
They are found in all organisms – eukaryotic
and prokaryotic. Converting genetic
information into proteins has kept life in
existence for billions of years.

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 What is It
Genes provide information for building proteins. They
don’t however directly create proteins. The production of
proteins is completed through two processes:

Figure 2: An overview of Transcription and Translation (technologynetworks.com)

1. TRANSCRIPTION
Transcription is the process of producing a strand of RNA from a strand of
DNA. Similar to the way DNA is used as a template in DNA replication, it is again
used as a template during transcription. The information that is stored in DNA
molecules is rewritten or ‘transcribed’ into a new RNA molecule.
SEQUENCE OF NITROGENOUS BASES AND THE TEMPLATE
STRAND
 Each nitrogenous base of a DNA molecule provides a piece of information for
protein production. A strand of DNA has a specific sequence of bases. The
specific sequence provides the information for the production of a specific
protein.
 Through transcription, the sequence of bases of the DNA is transcribed into
the reciprocal sequence of bases in a strand of RNA. Through transcription,
the information of the DNA molecule is passed onto the new strand of RNA
which can then carry the information to where proteins are produced. RNA
molecules used for this purpose are known as messenger RNA (mRNA).
 A gene is a particular segment of DNA. The sequence of bases in for a gene
determines the sequence of nucleotides along an RNA molecule.
 Only one strand of a DNA double helix is transcribed for each gene. This
strand is known as the ‘template strand’. The same template strand of DNA
is used every time that particular gene is transcribed. The opposite strand of
the DNA double helix may be transcribed for other genes.

RNA POLYMERASE
An enzyme called ‘RNA polymerase’ is responsible for separating the two
strands of DNA in a double helix. As it separates the two strands, RNA polymerase
builds a strand of mRNA by adding the complementary nucleotides (A, U, G, C)
to the template strand of DNA.
A specific set of nucleotides along the template strand of DNA indicates
where the gene starts and where the RNA polymerase should attach and begin
unravelling the double helix. The section of DNA or the gene that is transcribed is
known as the ‘transcription unit’.

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 Rather than RNA polymerase moving along the DNA strand, the DNA moves
through the RNA polymerase enzyme. As the template strand moves through the
enzyme, it is unravelled and RNA nucleotides are added to the growing mRNA
molecule.
As the RNA molecule grows it is separated from the template strand. The
DNA template strand reforms the bonds with its complementary DNA strand to
reform a double helix.
RATE OF TRANSCRIPTION
If a certain protein is required in large numbers, one gene can be
transcribed by several RNA polymerase enzymes at one time. This makes it
possible for a large number of proteins to be produced from multiple RNA
molecules in a short time.
2. TRANSLATION
Translation is the process where the information carried in mRNA
molecules is used to create proteins. The specific sequence of nucleotides in the
mRNA molecule provides the code for the production of a protein with a specific
sequence of amino acids.
Much like how RNA is built from many nucleotides, a protein is formed from
many amino acids. A chain of amino acids is called a ‘polypeptide chain’ and a
polypeptide chain bends and folds on itself to form a protein.
During translation, the information of the strand of RNA is ‘translated’
from RNA language into polypeptide language i.e. the sequence of nucleotides
is translated into a sequence of amino acids.

TRANSLATION OCCURS IN RIBOSOMES

Ribosomes are small cellular machines that
control the production of proteins in cells. They are
made from proteins and RNA molecules and
provide a plat- form for mRNA molecules to couple
with complimentary transfer RNA (tRNA)
molecules.
Each tRNA molecule is bound to an amino
acid and delivers the necessary amino acid to the
ribosome. The tRNA molecules bind to the
complementary bases of the mRNA molecule.
The bonded mRNA and tRNA are fed through
the ribosome and the amino acid attached to the
tRNA molecule is added to the growing polypeptide
chain as it moves through the ribosome. Figure 3: A simple Diagram of
To summarize: the Protein Synthesis (cdc.gov)

In transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is "rewritten" in RNA. In eukaryotes,

the RNA must go through additional processing steps to become a messenger RNA,
or mRNA. In translation, the sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA is "translated"
into a sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide (protein chain).

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 Figure 5: The Codon Chart (khanacademy.org)
Suppose that we are interested in the codon CAG and want to know which
amino acid it specifies.
First, we look at the left side of the table. The axis on the left side refers to
the first letter of the codon, so we find C along the left axis. This tells us the (broad)
row of the table in which our codon will be found.
Next, we look at the top of the table. The upper axis refers to the second letter
of the codon, so we find A along the upper axis. This tells us the column of the table
in which our codon will be found.
The row and column from steps 1 and 2 intersect in a single box in the codon
table, one containing four codons. It's often easiest to simply look at these four co-
dons and see which one is the one you're looking for.
If you want to use the structure of the table to the maximum, however, you
can use the third axis (on the right side of the table) corresponding to the intersect
box. By finding the third nucleotide of the codon on this axis, you can identify the
exact row within the box where your codon is found. For instance, if we look for G
on this axis in our example above, we find that CAG encodes the amino acid
glutamine (Gln).

What’s More
PART A. Read the following:
Protein synthesis is the process used by the body to make proteins. The first
step of protein synthesis is called Transcription. It occurs in the nucleus. During
transcription, mRNA transcribes (copies) DNA. DNA is “unzipped” and the mRNA
strand copies a strand of DNA. Once it does this, mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes
into the cytoplasm.
mRNA will then attach itself to a ribosome. The strand of mRNA is then read
in order to make protein. They are read 3 bases at a time. These bases are called
codons. tRNA is the fetching puppy. It brings the amino acids to the ribosome to
help make the protein. The 3 bases on tRNA are called anti-codons. Remember,
amino acids are the building blocks for protein. On the mRNA strand, there are start
and stop codons. Your body knows where to start and stop making certain proteins.

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 What I Have Learned
What would happen to the protein above if the sequence of DNA changed
by one base? Explain your answer using the concepts you have learned.

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The site of protein synthesis is in the ________.

A. Ribosome B. Nucleus C. Endoplasmic reticulum D. Chromosome
2. Which is NOT necessary for protein synthesis to occur once transcription is
completed?
A. tRNA B. Ribosomes C. mRNA D. DNA
3. The anticodon of tRNA binds to
A. Rrna (please check on this) B. an amino acid
C. the Shine Dalgarno sequence D. an mRNA codon
4. Which site (?) of the tRNA molecule binds to the mRNA molecule?
A. Amino acid B. Anticodon C. Codon D.5 prime end
5. The first step in translation is the binding of
A. two ribosomal subunits to each other.
B. mRNA to the two ribosomal subunits.
C. tRNA to the small ribosomal subunit.
D. mRNA to the small ribosomal subunit.
6. Which amino acid starts all protein synthesis?
A.Glycine B. Methionine C. Proline D.Thymine D.
7. Which RNA binds to an amino acid?
A.mRNA B. tRNA C. rRNA D. hnRNA
8. How many base/s of nucleic acid determine a single amino acid?
A. Four B. One C. Two D. Three
9. The ribosomes are composed of
A. proteins B. RNA C. lipids D. both A and B
10. Which is required for protein synthesis?
A. tRNA B. mRNA C. rRNA D. All of these

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 Lesson

2 Mutation
What’s New
Have you seen an albino rat? Albino or Sprague-Dawley rats weighing
120–150 g are commonly used as experimental animals.
The cause of albinism is a mutation in a
gene for melanin, a protein found in skin and
eyes. Such a mutation may result in no
melanin production at all or a significant
decline in the amount of melanin. Figure 1. Albino Rat
(pngfind.com)

What is It
MUTATION is a change in the sequence of bases in DNA or RNA
Does the word mutation make you think of science fiction and bug-
eyed monsters? Think again. Everyone has mutations. In fact, most people have
dozens or even hundreds of mutations in their DNA.
TYPES OF MUTATIONS:
Mutations are essential for evolution to occur. They are the ultimate source of all new
genetic material—new alleles in a species. Although most mutations have no effect on
the organisms in which they occur, some mutations are beneficial. Even harmful
mutations rarely cause drastic changes in organisms. (Images from yourgenome.org)

Mutations fall in several categories:

1. Point mutations are small (but significant) changes often in a single nucleotide
base.

2. Deletions remove information from the gene. A deletion could be as

small as a single base or as large as the gene itself

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 3. Insertions occur when extra DNA is added into an existing gene.

4. Substitution happens when one or more bases in the sequence is replaced by

the same number of bases (for example, a cytosine substituted for an adenine).

5. Inversion occurs when a segment of a chromosome is reversed end to end.

CAUSES OF GENE MUTATIONS

Mutations that occur during DNA replication or recombination, or that are due
to an unknown cause, are said to be spontaneous. Most, however, are induced by
external agents called mutagens. There are three classes of mutagen.

Source: evolutionberkeley.com

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 What’s More
ACTIVITY 1: WHAT WENT WRONG?

I. Direction: Identify the types of mutation that takes place in each of the
following DNA strand.

1. Original DNA: T A C A T C T T C G C G A C G A C T
Mutated DNA: T A C A T C T T G G C G A C G A C T
Type of Mutation:
2. Original DNA: T A C G A C T T G G C G A C G A C T
Mutated DNA: T A C G A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T
Type of Mutation:
3. Original DNA: T A C A C G C T T G G G A C G A C T
Mutated DNA: T A C A C C T T G G G A C G A C T
Type of Mutation:
4. Original DNA: T A C A C T T G C G C G A C G A C T
Mutated DNA: T A C A C C G T T G C G A C G A C T
Type of Mutation:
5. Original DNA: T A C G A C C T G G C G A C G A C T
Mutated DNA: T A C G A C T T G G C G A C G A C T
Type of Mutation:

EFECTS OF MUTATION
Beneficial Mutations
Some mutations have a positive effect on the organism in which they occur.
They are called beneficial mutations. They lead to new versions of proteins that help
organisms adapt to changes in their environment. Beneficial mutations are essential
for evolution to occur. They increase an organism’s changes of surviving or
reproducing, so they are likely to become more common over time. There are several
well-known examples of beneficial mutations. Here are just two of them:

1. Mutations in many bacteria that allow them to survive in the presence of anti-
biotic drugs. The mutations lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

2. A unique mutation is found in people in a small town in Italy. The mutation

protects them from developing atherosclerosis, which is the dangerous buildup of fatty
materials in blood vessels. The individual in which the mutation first appeared has
even been identified.

Harmful Mutations
The random change in a gene’s DNA is likely to result in a protein that does not
function normally or may not function at all. Such mutations are likely to be harmful.
Harmful mutations may cause genetic disorders or cancer.
A genetic disorder is a disease caused by a mutation in one or a few genes. A
human example is cystic fibrosis. A mutation in a single gene causes the body to
produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and blocks ducts in digestive
organs. Many genetic disorders are caused by mutations in one or a few genes. Other
genetic disorders are caused by abnormal numbers of chromosomes.

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 Figure 2: GENETIC DISORDER BY MUTATIONS

Genetic Disorder Direct Effect of Mutation Sign and Symptoms

Marfan defective protein in connective heart and bone defects
syndrome tissue and unusually long, slender
limbs and fingers
Sickle cell change in a single base results to sickle-shaped red blood cells
anemia abnormal hemoglobin protein in that clog tiny blood vessels,
red blood cells causing pain and damaging
organs and joints
Vitamin D lack of a substance needed for soft bones that easily become
resistant rickets bones to absorb minerals deformed, leading to bowed
legs and other skeletal
deformities
Hemophilia A reduced activity of a protein internal and external bleeding
needed for blood clotting that occurs easily and is
difficult to control

Figure 3: GENETIC DISORDER BY ABNORMAL CHROMOSOME

Genetic Disorder Genotype Phenotypic Effect
Down syndrome extra copy (complete developmental delays, distinctive
or partial) of facial appearance, and other
chromosome 21 abnormalities
Turner’s one X chromosome but female with short height and
syndrome no other sex infertility (inability to reproduce)
chromosome (XO)
Triple X three X female with mild developmental
syndrome chromosomes delays and menstrual irregularities
(XXX)
Klinefelter’s one Y chromosome and male with problems in sexual
syndrome two or more X development and reduced levels of
chromosomes (XXY, the male hormone testosterone
XXXY)

References
BOOKS
 Herma D. Acosta et. Al. 2015, Rex Bookstore, Inc., Science Learner’s Material,
p.281-290
 Herma D. Acosta et. Al. 2015, Rex Bookstore, Inc., Science Teacher’s Material,
p.210-211
ONLINE
 https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/dna/
 https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Human_Biology/Book%
3A_Human_Biology_(Wakim_and_Grewal)/06%
3A_DNA_and_Protein_Synthesis/6.04% 3A_Protein_Synthesis

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 Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen
letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which mutation is naturally occurring?

A. biochemical B. chromosomal C. lethal D. spontaneous
2. The ultimate source of genetic variation is _____.
A. nuclei acid B. mutagen C. mutation D. genes
3. Which statement is true about mutations? Mutations are ________.
A. harmful
B. predictable
C. rare and genome are stable
D. happening only during early stage of life
4. What disease is caused by bleeding due to reduced activity of protein need for
blood clotting?
A. Hemophilia A C. Sickle-cell anemia
B. Marfan syndrome D. Vitamin D resistant rickets
5. In mutational event, what happens when adenine is replaced by guanine?
A. Insertion C. Point Mutation
B. Inversion D. Substitution
6. Which will most likely to happen as a result of mutation in a person’s skin
cells due to too much radiation from the sun?
A. albinism C. dark colored skin
B. light colored skin D. skin cancer
7. A mutation usually causes .
A. extra eyeballs C. an abnormal or missing protein
B. a mutagen such as radiation D. thymine to be replaced by uracil
8. If the amino acid threonine (ACG) was replaced by aspartic acid (GAC), this is
an example of which type of mutation?
A. Deletion C. Inversion
B. Insertion D. Point mutation
9. What is a mutagen? A mutagen is a/an
A. inhibitor gene modification.
B. enzyme that repairs mutation.
C. chemical or physical agent that induces mutations.
D. molecule which stabilizes DNA thus prevents mutations from occurring.
10. The DNA was mutated to CCTGAC but the original DNA is CAGTCC, what
type of mutation took place?
A. Deletion C. Inversion
B. Insertion D. Point mutation

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 Key to Correction

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS IN SCIENCE 10

QUARTER 3 MODULE 3 WEEK 4

Name:_______________________________________________Section:________Score:_____
I. Directions: Complete the table and answer the questions stated below.

Basis of Comparison DNA RNA

1. Number of strands

2. Location in the cell

3. Type of Sugar

4. Nitrogenous base pair

II. Directions: Answer the crossword puzzle below using the hints provided.

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III. Directions: Identify the amino acids coded for by the mRNA codon using the
Genetic Code Table.

Order of Bases in Order of bases in Order of bases in Amino Acid Coded

DNA mRNA (codon) tRNA into Proteins

TAG AUC

CAT

GUC

CCA

Methionine

Valine

ACU

ACA UGU

AAA

GAA CUU

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