Download Virtual Lab: DNA and Genes

Virtual Lab: DNA and Genes
Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/transcribe/ (link on CH 10 TEACHER PAGE) and
transcribe to DNA into RNA and answer the following questions:
What is the DNA sequence (letters)?
What is the complimentary mRNA sequence (letters) you made using transcription?
What is the amino acid chain you made using translation? What organic macromolecule will this amino acid
chain become?
Describe, from start to finish, how a polypeptide chain is made.
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/firefly/ (link on CH 10 TEACHER PAGE) and learn
how a firefly glows and answer the following questions:
What enzyme creates light in the firefly tail?
What is the name of the gene region that codes for this enzyme in the firefly’s DNA?
Once the mRNA strand leaves the nucleus, where does it go?
How does the enzyme make light in the firefly’s tail?
Go to
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/advanced_placement/mader10e/virtual_labs_2K
8/labs/BL_04/index.html (link on CH 10 TEACHER PAGE)
1. Please make sure you have read through all of the information in the “Questions” and “Mutation
Guide”. Define the following terms:
Mutation:
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Point Mutation:
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Silent Mutation:
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Frameshift Mutation:
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Answer the following questions:
What are potential outcomes we discussed in class for a point mutation?
What can result from a frameshift mutation?
Give 2 ways mutations can be harmful and 2 reasons mutations can be beneficial or neutral.
2. When you are ready, please close out the “Mutation Guide” and click the “Mutate” button that
appears on the new page to begin the activity.
3. You will see the following:

an “Original sequence” of mRNA that has been translated properly into its corresponding
amino acid sequence

a “Mutated sequence” that is blank

a “Mutation Rules” block of information
4. Your task is to read the information in the “Mutation Rules” area and then apply the information to
completing the “Mutated sequence” of mRNA and protein. To do this, you must:

read the “Mutation Rule”

look at the “Original sequence” of mRNA given

determine the “Mutated sequence” of mRNA bases after applying the information presented
in the “Mutation Rule”

determine the “Mutated sequence” of protein (amino acids) translated from the mRNA
sequence you just created using the “Genetic Code Chart”
5.
Please complete this information in the area below BEFORE actually completing the virtual
activity; you can then refer to it to help make the correct selections at each step. Remember to use
the “Genetic Code Chart” to determine the protein sequence:
“Mutation Rule” states: ___________________________________________
Original Sequence #1:
mRNA (A, U, G, or C):
Amino Acid Chain:
Mutated Sequence:
mRNA (A, U, G, or C):
Amino Acid Chain:
6. Once you have filled in the information above, drag the correct nucleotides
to their position in the “Mutated sequence” of mRNA. Then drag the corresponding amino acids
into place in the “Mutated sequence” of protein. When you are finished, click “Check”. A message
will appear in the open box at the bottom of the page indicating whether your answer needs to be
corrected.
7. Click Mutate again and repeat. “Mutation rule” states: _____________________________
Original Sequence #2:
mRNA (A, U, G, or C):
Amino Acid Chain:
Mutated Sequence:
mRNA (A, U, G, or C):
Amino Acid Chain:
8.
Please finish this exercise by opening the “Journal” link at the bottom of the page and answering
questions 1-3 and email to me by clicking “submit” and send to [email protected]
Epigenetics – How your lifestyle can alter your genes!
Go to: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/nutrition/ (link on Ch 10 Teacher Page) and answer the
following questions.
1. What is epigenetics?
2. What process have we talked about this year that allows us to obtain energy from our foods?
3. From chapter 3, what is the chemical formula for methyl groups?
4. What is the importance of methyl groups on our genes?
5. Use the blue link (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/nutrition/table.html) on the site:
What foods can you get folic acid from? What about sulfoaphane?
6. What food is high in butyrate? What does research show it does for your genes?
7. Which two methyl-donating nutrients during late fetal and early infant development can impact the rest
of the individual’s life?
8. What does the agouti gene do in mice?
9. How did the mother mouse’s diet impact the offspring?
10. How does food availability impact lifespan?
11. Looking at what you tracked for 24 hours, how does your lifestyle right now impact your genetics?
What is your reaction to this?