Download Alien Protein Synthesis

Biology
Unit 4B
Name: _______________________
Alien Protein Synthesis
Pre-Lab Reading
Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics, like hair color and blood type. Genes are
composed of DNA. The DNA code is based on a triplet of nitrogen bases. Each triplet code corresponds to a specific
amino acid. Amino acids combine to form proteins.
In a process known as transcription (takes place in the nucleus) messenger RNA (mRNA) reads and copies the
DNA. mRNA then takes the message out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm and finally to the ribosome (rRNA), the site
of protein synthesis in a process known as translation. It is at the ribosome that the third form of RNA arrives, transfer
RNA (tRNA). tRNA carries a specific amino acid for a specific codon on the mRNA. The tRNA binds to the mRNA by
the anti-codon. This continues until a protein has been manufactured.
In this activity you have collected a sample of alien DNA from a distant planet. This species has 8 genes that
you have designated 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Transcribe the DNA into mRNA, then find the anti-codon and the
corresponding amino acid. The series of amino acids will determine the protein (trait).
Procedure
1. Turn the DNA into mRNA.
2. Turn the mRNA into tRNA anti-codons.
3. Use the tRNA anti-codons provided to determine the amino acid sequence.
4. Match the correct amino acid sequence to a characteristic.
5. Draw your alien based on the characteristics you uncovered from the DNA.
6. Be sure to answer the questions found in the Analysis & Conclusions section.
1
Gene #1
DNA
TAC
AGT
GTG
TTA
CTA
GCC
GGG
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #2
DNA
TAC
AAA
GAG
CAC
GGG
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #3
DNA
TAC
ACA
CTA
TTA
GTG
ATA
TGA
AGT
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #4
DNA
TAC
GCC
GCC
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #5
DNA
TAC
AAA
TAA
GGG
GTT
CTA
ACA
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #6
DNA
TAC
ATA
GTG
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #7
DNA
mRNA
TAC
AAA
GCC
TAA
ACA
CAC
CTC
AGT
ATC
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
Gene #8
DNA
TAC
TGA
CGG
ATA
ATC
mRNA
tRNA
Amino Acid
Trait
2
Alien Name (Species Name): Species 4672-A
Draw your alien based on the characteristics you
uncovered from the DNA.
3
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Briefly describe the steps of protein synthesis.
2. Describe all 3 forms of RNA and discuss their functions.
3. Describe how you could find the DNA if you knew the amino acid sequence. Give an example to
illustrate your point.
4. Could a mutation in the DNA affect the way an organism looks? Give an example to illustrate
your point.
4