Download Say It With DNA - District 196 e

Say It with DNA!
Introduction:
Having studied the process by which DNA directs the synthesis of proteins, the student
will decode a "secret message". To do this, the student will follow the procedure of
protein synthesis listed below, much like what happens within one's cells.
Complete the following steps to decode the secret message:
! Step 1:! Build the strand of DNA by finding the DNA triplets hidden throughout the
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school. Place the triplets in the correct sequence on the protein synthesis
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chart.
! Step 2:! Build a strand of mRNA by determining the mRNA codon that corresponds to
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each DNA triplet. Place the codons on the protein synthesis chart.
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Remember: mRNA begins with a start codon and ends with a stop codon.
! Step 3:! Determine the tRNA anticodon that correspond to each mRNA codon. Place
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the anticodons on the protein synthesis chart.
! Step 4:! Determine the sequence of amino acids using the genetic code chart
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provided in class (or page 230 in the biology textbook). To correctly
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determine the sequence of amino acids, be sure to use the mRNA codons
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from the protein synthesis chart, not the tRNA anticodons. Place the
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sequence of amino acids on the protein synthesis chart.
! Step 5:! Using the Dictionary of Amino Acids: Abbreviations and Symbols, place the
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symbol that corresponds to the amino acid in the protein synthesis chart.
! Step 6:! Write the "secret message".
Definitions:
! DNA triplet-! Sequence of three nucleotides that codes for the synthesis of a specific
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amino acid.
! mRNA codon-! Three-nucleotide sequence that determines the position of a specific
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!
! amino acid in a protein molecule.
! tRNA anticodon-! Three-nucleotide sequence that is complementary to an mRNA
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!
! ! codon.
! Amino acid-! build block (monomer) of proteins.