Lab # Simulating Protein Synthesis Date

Lab # Simulating Protein Synthesis Date

I. Purpose: How can traits from a particular chromosome be determined?

CA Standard: (4b) Students know how to apply the genetic coding rules to predict the sequence of amino acids from a sequence of codons in RNA.

Background: Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics such as hair color and blood type. Genes are lengths of DNA molecules that determine the structure of polypeptides (building blocks of proteins) that our cells make. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids proteins. In this investigation, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and thereby determine the traits inherited by fictitious organisms called CHNOPS. CHNOPS, whose cells contain only one chromosome, are members of the kingdom Animalia. A CHNOPS chromosome is made up of six genes (A, B, C, D, E and F) which are responsible for a certain trait.

II. Materials: blue and orange pencil

III. Procedure:

1. To determine the trait for Gene A of your CHNOPS, fill in the information in the box labeled Gene A in your data table. Notice the sequence of nucleotides in DNA. On your line in the data table, write the sequence of nucleotides of mRNA that are complementary to DNA.

2. In order to determine the sequence of amino acids match each mRNA triplet with the specific amino acid in Figure 1. Use a – (hyphen) to separate each amino acid number. Record this information in the appropriate place in your data table.

3. Using Figure 2 find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record this information in the appropriate place in your data table.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the remaining genes (B-F)

5. Using all the inherited traits make a detailed sketch of your CHNOPS in your CALCULATIONS/RESULTS section. (Remember to use at least ½ a page for your drawing.)

IV. Data/Observations:

(Don’t copy figure 1 or 2)

Figure 1

mRNA Triplet / Amino Acid Number
ACC / 20
AGC / 16
CGA / 2
AAC / 4
CGC / 3
GGG / 5
AGG / 7
AAA / 8
UUU / 9
GGU / 12
UAU / 13
CCC / 1
AUC / 6
CUA / 10
GGA / 11
UCG / 14

Figure 2

Amino Acid Sequence / Trait
20-11-13 / hairless
20-12-13 / hairy
16-12 / two-legged
16-5 / three-legged
16-2 / four-legged
12-7-8-1 / long nose
5-7-8-1 / short nose
9-8 / no freckles
9-4 / freckles
11-3-2 / blue skin
11-3-11 / orange skin
6-6-10 / male
6-6-14 / female

(Copy this table)

Table 1a CHNOPS Data

Gene A Gene B Gene C

DNA TGG CCA ATA DNA TCG GCT DNA AAA TTG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA CCU GCG GCT DNA CCC TCC TTT GGG DNA TAG TAG GAT

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

V. Calculations/Results:

CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.

VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)

1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?

2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?

3. Explain transcription.

4. Explain translation.

5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?

6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and ultimately the trait of an organism?

VII. Conclusion:

Answer the purpose

(Copy this table)

Table 1b CHNOPS Data

Gene A Gene B Gene C

DNA TGG CCA ATA DNA TCG CCA DNA AAA TTG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA CCT GCG CCT DNA CCA TCC TTT GGG DNA TAG TAG GAT

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

V. Calculations/Results:

CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.

VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)

1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?

2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?

3. Explain transcription.

4. Explain translation.

5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?

6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and ultimately the trait of an organism?

VII. Conclusion:

Answer the purpose

(Copy this table)

Table 1c CHNOPS Data

Gene A Gene B Gene C

DNA TGG CCT ATA DNA TCG GCT DNA AAA TTT

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA CCU GCG GCT DNA CCA TCC TTT GGG DNA TAG TAG UCG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

V. Calculations/Results:

CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.

VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)

1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?

2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?

3. Explain transcription.

4. Explain translation.

5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?

6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and ultimately the trait of an organism?

VII. Conclusion:

Answer the purpose

(Copy this table)

Table 1d CHNOPS Data

Gene A Gene B Gene C

DNA TGG CCT ATA DNA TCG CCC DNA AAA TTT

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA CCT GCG CCT DNA CCC TCC TTT GGG DNA TAG TAG UCG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino acid Amino acid Amino acid

sequence ______sequence ______sequence ______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

V. Calculations/Results:

CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.

VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)

1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?

2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?

3. Explain transcription.

4. Explain translation.

5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?

6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and ultimately the trait of an organism?

VII. Conclusion:

Answer the purpose