Download Gift of Protein Activity

The Gift of Protein & Mutations
(15 points)
Name:_________________________
Period:____ Date:_______________
DNA contains the coded instructions for how to assemble proteins. Proteins provide
structure and support for living organisms, control chemical processes in the body, and
aid in our immune response to infectious pathogens. Proteins are made up of a chain of
monomers called amino acids. Our bodies need 20 different amino acids in order to
make up all the different proteins required to keep us healthy. The amino acids combine
in a different order for each protein. The order of the amino acids determines both the
structure and job of the protein. In this activity, each colored bead will represent a
different amino acid and the bracelet that you create will represent a protein.
OBJECTIVE: Simulate the process of transcription and translation while creating a
model of a polypeptide and protein.
PART I
1. You and your partner will need to choose one of the six bracelet descriptions below.
 Act Now Bracelet: This bracelet represents enzymes, which are proteins that
catalyze thousands of chemical reactions in our cells. Give this bracelet to
someone who needs to act on something or make a decision about something
in their life.
 Support Bracelet: This bracelet represents keratin, which is a protein that
gives structure or support to our fingernails and toenails. Give this bracelet to
someone to let them know you are available to support them. This bracelet
says, “I support you.”
 Breathe Bracelet: This bracelet represents hemoglobin, which is a protein
located on our red blood cells. It helps transport oxygen throughout our body.
Give this bracelet to someone who might need to relax more often. This
bracelet says, “I want you to take care of yourself and relax.”
 Health Bracelet: This bracelet represents antibodies, which are proteins that
help the body fight off disease. Give this bracelet to someone who is in need of
better health, either physically, emotionally, or mentally. This bracelet says, “I
hope you feel better.”
 Journey Well Bracelet: This bracelet represents hormones, which are
proteins that travel throughout the body to help regulate metabolism. Give this
bracelet to someone who is going on a trip soon. This bracelet says, “I hope
you have a good trip.”
 Strength Bracelet: This bracelet represents actin, which is a protein that
helps muscles contract. Give this bracelet to someone who could use some
strength in life. This bracelet says, “Be strong.”
2. Tape your DNA sequence (gene) in the designated spot on your
Transcription/Translation sheet.
3. Using what you know about DNA and RNA structure, transcribe the mRNA sequence
that corresponds to the DNA template strand.
4. Next, use your codon chart to translate your mRNA into a strand of amino acids.
5. After your have translated your protein, you may create a bracelet model of it. Your
bracelet will consist of different colored beads.
6. Come up to the front of the room to collect the colored beads that you will require to
build your bracelet. You will also need a length of string. Sometimes it helps to tape
one end of the string to the table while you’re working.
QUESTIONS
1. During this activity, you simulated the process of transcription and translation to and
created a model.
a. What does each bead of your bracelet represent? Explain.
b. What does your bracelet represent right before you tie it? Explain.
c. What does your finished bracelet (with the knot tied) represent? Explain.
2. Compare your bracelet with two other different bracelets.
a. What do they have in common? Relate this to a real protein.
b. How is each bracelet different? Relate this to a real protein.
3. Explain the relationship between gene and amino acid sequence.
4. Explain the relationship between polypeptide and protein.
OBJECTIVE: Simulate mutations in your strand of DNA and investigate how they
impact the sequence of amino acids in your model protein.
PART II
1. You and your partner will now produce several mutations in your original DNA strand.
2. You must include at least ONE type of point mutation and ONE type of frameshift
mutation in this mutant DNA.
3. Write out the new, mutant sequence on your Transcription/Translation sheet.
4. Transcribe and translate this mutant sequence and compare to the original
polypeptide chain.
5. Create another bracelet that represents this new, mutant protein.
QUESTIONS
1. Which two mutations did you incorporate into your new bracelet?
2. For each mutation, explain how it impacted the sequence of your polypeptide chain.
3. Predict which of the two mutations may impact the protein’s function more. Justify
your prediction using what you know about protein structure.