Download Protein Synthesis Activity

Name____________________________________ Class___________ Date_______________
Assembling a Protein Molecule
Pre-lab Discussion
DNA and RNA, the two types of nucleic acids found in cells, determine which protein molecules a cell makes,
or synthesizes. Protein molecules, formed by sequencing twenty different amino acids in various combinations, are
important to living things because they control biological pathways, direct the synthesis of organic molecules, and are
responsible for cell structure and movement. DNA carries the information for the synthesis of all the proteins in code
form. The three different types of RNA carry out the DNA instructions to synthesize proteins.
During transcription, the DNA code is transcribed by mRNA into the language of protein synthesis. Three
base codons of mRNA carry this information of the ribosomes, where translations occur. During translations, mRNA
codons are translated into a protein molecule when tRNA anticodons bring the correct amino acids to the ribosome.
The amino acids brought side-by-side by tRNA form peptide bonds and become protein molecules.
In this investigation you will model the process of proteins synthesis carried out by the cells of your body.
Problem
How can you and your classmates carry out the different processes of protein synthesis and assemble a
protein molecule?
Figure 1
Amino acid
DNA Triplets
Alanine
Glutamine
Glutamic Acid
Leucine
Lysine
Phenylalanine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine
Valine
CGT
GTT
CTT
GAT
TTT
AAA
GGC
AGC
ATG
CAA
Observations
1. Using figure 1, complete the Data Table for each protein molecule.
Data table
Protein
Amino Acids
DNA Triplet
mRNA Codon
GGC
CCG
1
Proline
Glutamic Acid
CTT
Alanine
CGT
2
tRNA Anticodon
GGC
Lysine
Glutamine
Valine
3
Leucine
Proline
Tyrosine
4
Phenylalanine
Glutamine
Proline
5
Lysine
Serine
Leucine
2. In what Four ways do DNA and RNA molecules differ?
a. DNA is made of deoxyribose, while RNA is made of_____________________________________
b. DNA is double stranded, while RNA is _____________________________________________
c. There is one type of DNA, while there is ___________types of RNA
d. DNA has a Thymine, while RNA has _____________________________
3. How was mRNA formed?
4. How do mRNA and tRNA differ?
5. Where in the cell are protein molecules formed?
Analysis and Conclusions
1. What is the role of DNA in protein synthesis?
2. What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?
3. Which step in the procedure represents transcription? Explain your answer.
4. What would happen to Protein 1 if the first DNA triplet was TTT instead of GGC?
Critical Thinking and Application
1. What does the processes of transcription and translation have in common (how are they related)?
2. How do DNA replication and DNA transcription differ?
3. If an incorrect nucleotide is in a DNA molecule due to mutation, will protein syntheses be affected? Explain
your answer.
Chumba wumbicans
Simulating Protein Synthesis Part 2
In this investigation, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and thereby determine the traits
inherited by fictitious organisms called Chumba wumbicans. Chumba wumbicans, whose cells contain only one
chromosome, are members of the kingdom Animalia. A Chumba wumbicans chromosome is made up of six genes
(A, B, C, D, E and F), each of which is responsible for a certain trait.
Problem
How can the traits on a particular chromosome be determined? How can these traits determine the
characteristics of an organism?
Materials (per student)
Blue pencil
Orange pencil
Procedure
1. To determine the trait from Gene A of your, Chumba wumbicans fill in the information in the box labeled
Gene A in the Data Table. Notice the sequence of the nucleotide in DNA. On the line provided, write the
sequence of nucleotides of mRNA that are complementary to DNA. Then, on the line provided, write the
sequence of nucleotides on tRNA that is complementary to mRNA.
2. In order to determine the sequence of amino acids, match each tRNA triplet with the specific amino acid in
Figure 1. Using a – (hyphen) to separate each amino acid number, record this information in the
appropriate place in the Data Table.
3. Using Figure 2, fine the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record this information in the
appropriate place in the Data Table.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the remaining genes (B through F)
5. Using all the inherited traits, ketch your i Chumba wumbicans n the space provided.
Figure Table 1
tRNA Triplet
ACC
AGC
CGA
AAC
CGC
GGG
AGG
AAA
UUU
GGU
UAU
CCC
AUC
CUA
GGA
Amino Acid
Number
20
16
2
4
3
5
7
8
9
12
13
1
6
10
11
Figure Table 2
Amino Acid
Sequence
20-11-13
20-12-13
20-21-21
13-14-15
16-2
15-5
12-7-8-1
5-7-8-1
9-8
9-4
11-3-2
11-3-3
6-6-10
6-6-14
Trait
Hairless
Hairy
Plump
Skinny
Four-legged
Two -legged
BIG NOSE
No Nose, just holes
4 little Eyes
One big Eye
Blue skin and hair
Orange skin and hair
Male= Mustache
Female = Eyelashes
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
DNA ACC GGT TAT
Gene B
DNA AGC CGA
Gene C
DNA TTT AAC
mRNA UGG CCA AUA
mRNA _____________________
mRNA ___________________
tRNA _ACC_______________
tRNA _____________________
tRNA ____________________
Amino acid sequence __
20__ 12
13
Trait __HAIRY____________
Amino acid sequence
____________________________
Amino acid sequence
___________________________
Trait _______________________
Trait ______________________
Gene D
DNA GGA CGC CGA
Gene E
DNA GGG AGG AAA CCC
Gene F
DNA ATC ATC CTA
mRNA _________________
mRNA ____________________
mRNA ____________________
tRNA __________________
tRNA _____________________
tRNA _____________________
Amino acid sequence
________________________
Amino acid sequence
___________________________
Amino acid sequence
___________________________
Trait___________________
Trait ______________________
Trait _____________________
Analysis and Conclusions Use page 304 in your book for a visual and to answer these questions.
1. What are the differences between translation and transcription.
2. What is the specific site for transcription and translation in the cell?
Transcription:
Translation:
3. How many tRNA nucleotides form an anticodon that will attach to the mRNA codon? _________
4. Draw what a tRNA anticodon looks like on page 304.
Critical Thinking and Application
1. Suppose you know the make up specific proteins in a cell. How would you determine the particular DNA code that
coded for them?
2. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide alter the formation of the translated protein? (An example would be
the difference between normal and sickle-cell hemoglobin)