Download LAB: Protein Synthesis CHNOPS

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS CHNOPS
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 (the building blocks of proteins) that our cells make. The sequence
of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in polypeptides, and thus the structure of proteins.
In this investigation, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and thereby determine the traits inherited by
fictitious organisms called CHNOPS. CHNOPS, who 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), each of which is responsible for a
trait.
PROCEDURE
1. Copy your species number and DNA sequence in the space provided in the data table.
2. On the line provided, write the sequence of mRNA nucleotides that are complementary to your DNA.
3. Next, write the sequence of mRNA nucleotides that are complementary to your mRNA.
4. In order to determine the sequence of amino acids, match each tRNA codon with the specific amino acid number
provided in Table 1. Use a hyphen to separate each amino acid number, and record this information in the appropriate
place on the Data Table.
5. Use Table 2 to find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record this information in the appropriate place on
the Data Table.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the remaining genes (B through F).
7. Using all of the inherited traits, sketch your CHNOPS on the back of your Data Table sheet.
TABLE 1
mRNA triplet
UGG
UCG
GCU
UUG
GCG
CCC
UCC
UUU
AAA
CCA
AUA
GGG
UAG
GAU
CCU
UAA
GENE A
TABLE 2
Amino Acid Number
20
16
2
4
3
5
7
8
9
12
13
1
6
10
11
14
GENE B
Amino Acid Sequence
20-11-13
20-12-13
20-21-21
13-14-15
16-2
12-7-8-1
5-7-8-1
9-8
9-4
11-3-2
11-3-3
6-6-10
6-6-14
16-3
GENE C
Trait
Hairless
Hairy
Plump
Skinny
Four-Legged
Long Nose
Short Nose
No Freckles
Freckles
Blue Skin
Red Skin
Male
Female
No Legs
DNA: ___________________
DNA: _________________
DNA: ______________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: ___________________
mRNA: _____________________
tRNA: ___________________
tRNA: ____________________
tRNA: _____________________
A.A.sequence: _____________
A.A. sequence: _____________
A.A. sequence: _______________
Trait: ____________________
Trait: ____________________
Trait: _______________________
GENE D
DNA: ___________________
GENE E
DNA: _________________
GENE F
DNA: ______________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: ___________________
mRNA: _____________________
tRNA: ___________________
tRNA: ____________________
tRNA: _____________________
A.A.sequence: _____________
A.A. sequence: _____________
A.A. sequence: _______________
Trait: ____________________
Trait: ____________________
Trait: _______________________
Drawing of CHNOPS: