Download Name: :______ Genetic Mutations—Online Model Go to: http

Name:_______________________________________________________Period:___________
Genetic Mutations—Online Model
1. Go to: http://concord.org/stem-resources/mutations
2. Click “run model”.
3. Click “transcribe”. Describe what the model is doing (ie what is the process of transcription?).
1. RNA polymerase and other proteins form a transcription complex. The transcription complex
recognizes the start of a gene and unwinds a segment of it.
2. Nucleotides pair with one strand of the DNA.
3. RNA polymerase reads one side of the DNA template and strings together a complementary strand of
RNA nucleotides.
4. The DNA helix winds again as the gene is transcribed.
5. The RNA strand detaches from the DNA once the gene is transcribed.
4. Click “translate”. Describe what the model is doing (ie what is the process of translation?).
1. For translation to begin, tRNA (4) binds to a start codon and signals the ribosome to assemble.
2. A complementary tRNA molecule binds to the exposed codon, bringing its amino acid close to the first
amino acid.
3. The ribosome helps form a polypeptide bond between the amino acids and breaks the bond between the
first tRNA molecule and it’s amino acid.
4. The ribosome pulls the mRNA strand the length of one codon.
5. The now empty tRNA molecule returns to the cytoplasm.
6. A complementary tRNA molecule binds to the next exposed codon.
7. Once the stop codon is reached, the ribosome releases the protein and disassembles.
5. Click “show protein” then “stop”. List the amino acids in order that you just created.
Different for each
6. Click “reset”, then “Edit DNA”. Change 5 random letters in the DNA sequence shown. Click “Apply”.
7. What kind of mutation did you just do?
Different for each
8. Click “transcribe” and let it run. Then, click “translate” and let it run.
9. Click “show protein” then “stop”. List the amino acids in order that you just created.
Different for each
Name:_______________________________________________________Period:___________
Genetic Mutations—Online Model
10. What changed in your protein?
Different for each
11. Now, click “reset”, then “Edit DNA”. Remove 5 random letters in the DNA sequence shown. Click “Apply”.
12. What kind of mutation did you just do?
Substitution
13. Click “transcribe” and let it run. Then, click “translate” and let it run.
14. Click “show protein” then “stop”. List the amino acids in order that you just created.
Different for each
15. What changed in your protein?
Different for each
16. What effects do mutations have on the genetic code?
They change the resulting amino acids, therefore, they change the resulting protein.