DNA WebQuestNAME______
Topic: Replication and Protein Synthesis
Site A. Go to:
Click:“DNA replication” (upper left) and then click “unzip”. Read the script, answer the questions below, and then, click “OK”.
1. In a real cell, what happens to the DNA molecule before it unzips?
2. What molecules break the rungs (bases) apart?
Drag the correct bases over to “synthesize” the new DNA halves. Read script, answer questions, and then click “OK”.
3. How many base pairs are in the real human genome?
Click “protein synthesis” (upper right). Click “upzip”.
4. Where are you in the cell?
Base pair the nucleotides to create a strand of mRNA. Read the script, answer the questions, and click “OK”.
5. From top to bottom, what is the sequence of bases in the new RNA strand?
6. About how many bases would a real mRNA molecule have?
7. Where does the mRNA go now?
Click OK and Match the tRNA molecules to their base pair nucleotides on the mRNA.
Follow the rules of base pairing, using uracil in place of thymine. Answer the questions.
8. Which molecule has the codons?
9. Which molecule has the anticodons?
10. What molecules are attached to the tRNAs?
Click“OK” and continue matching the tRNAs.
11. In order, name the three amino acids that were joined together
12. How long will a real polypeptide chain get to be?
13. When does translation of the mRNA end?
Topic: Protein Synthesis
Site B. Go to:
Click the button that says “click here to begin”. Use the keyboard to type the bases that would
form the mRNA. Follow the instructions to determine the order of the amino acids.
1. List the order of your amino acids.
2. How did the process know to end?
3. From just 20 amino acids, how many possible proteins can be formed?
Read the script on the right side of the webpage.
4. Describe the process of transcription.
5. Describe the process of translation.
Site C. Go to:
Read the animation page by page – just click the “next” button when you are ready to move on.
1. How does the mRNA leave the nucleus?
2. Is just one mRNA molecule made? Explain.
3. How many amino acids does each codon code for?
4. Draw the structure of a tRNA molecule. Describe its function.
5. Where does the energy to form the peptide bond between two amino acids come from?
6. Can a single mRNA be read more than once? Explain.
Topic: Control of Gene Expression
D. Go to:
Click the right hand arrow to move through the animation. Answer the following questions.
1. Where does protein synthesis begin?
2. How many chromosomes are shown?
3. What information do chromosomes contain?
4. How is the information above encoded?
5. What is the function of mRNA?
6. Identify and describe the three regions of a gene.
7. What does RNA polymerase do?
8. As the animation shows transcription, what color is the DNA strand? The mRNA strand?
Topic: Overview
Site E. Go to:
Click on “What is a gene?” at the top and go through the animation. Answer the questions.
1. What is the function of the protein hemoglobin?
2. How is sickle-cell anemia caused?
3. What are some other proteins that genes code for?
Click on “What is a chromosome?” at the top and go through the animation. Answer the
questions.
1. How long would the DNA in one human cell be?
2. How is DNA packaged to fit into the small space of a cell nucleus?
3. How many chromosomes are in a human cell?
4. Why are there “pairs” of chromosomes? Where do they come from?
5. Describe the sex chromosomes.
Click on “What is a protein?” at the top and go through the animation. Answer the questions.
1. What is the role of proteins in transmitting pain messages?
2. Describe structural proteins.
3. “There are proteins involved in the making of proteins.” Explain this sentence.
Topic: Mutations
F. Go to:
Read the information and fill out the table below:
Type of mutation / Description / Effect on resulting proteinSubstitution
Insertion
Deletion
Frameshift