DNA Mutation Simulation Name____________________________ Per____

Go to: bit.ly/MustangDNAMutation

Read through the When mistakes happen text.

1. Where is the information to build a protein stored? Provide the location in the cell and the type of
molecules that stores this information.

2. What structure in the cell builds proteins? Where in the cell is this structure located?

3. What is the function of the mRNA molecule?

4. Why is the shape of a protein important?

5. What is a mutation?

Original DNA Sequence: Now it is time to do the simulation. Start by clicking the Edit DNA sequence
to view the original DNA sequence. Close the window and click the transcribe button and copy down
the mRNA sequence. Now click the Translate button and copy down the primary amino acid sequence
and draw a sketch of the folded protein.

Top DNA Strand ATG CCA GGC GGC GAG AGC TTG CTA ATT GGC TTA TAG

Bottom DNA

mRNA

Amino Acid seq

Sketch of Folded Protein:

Mutation 1: Now click on Edit DNA sequence. Delete the first C in sequence and transcribe and
translate to produce a protein.
Top DNA Strand ATG CAG GCG GCG AGA GCT TGC TAA TTG GCT TAT AG

Bottom Strand

mRNA

Amino Acid seq

Sketch of Folded Protein:

Describe how the shape of the protein has changed:

Proteins carry out specific jobs in a cell or tissue, how would this mutation
impact the function of the protein?

Use the genetic code chart to explain why this protein is much shorter.

Mutation 2: Reset the simulation by refreshing the page. Click on Edit DNA and change the first C in
the sequence into a G.

Top DNA Strand ATG GCA GGC GGC GAG AGC TTG CTA ATT GGC TTA TAG

Bottom Strand

mRNA

Amino Acid seq

Sketch of Folded Protein:

Compared to the original DNA how does the shape of this protein compare?

Based on the shape of the protein, how did this mutation affect the function
of the protein?

Play Time!
Spend some time playing with the simulation to see how mutations in DNA affect the amino acid
sequence and therefore the shape of a protein. Note that many mutations have little impact on the
function, some mutations have a negative impact and on rare occasions a mutations may have a
positive impact on the function of a protein or even create an new function!