Download dna and protein synthesis webquest

Name:________________________________________Period:_________Date:____________________
DNA & Protein Synthesis webquest
Part I – DNA Structure & Replication
Find out what DNA can do…
1. Enter the following web site address exactly as shown:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/shockwave.html
A. DNA Replication
2. Copy down the description of the process called replication (found below the box with the word
replication in it).
DNA, the molecule that holds the genetic information, makes _____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Click the words DNA REPLICATION.
4. In the space below, copy down the original sequence of bases found in both strands of DNA.
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
C
G
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
P
D
Parts of the DNA Backbone (What
does the D and P stand for?):
D = __________________________
P = __________________________
The steps of DNA Replication:


BELOW THE BOX THAT SAYS DNA REPLICATION, YOU WILL FIND THE DIRECTIONS TO HELP YOU GO THROUGH
THE STEPS OF REPLICATION.
BE SURE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS FOUND BELOW.
Step 1: UNZIP DNA
A. What enzyme causes the DNA to unwind and unzip (not found on the website – use your notes
if you don’t know). ______________________________
B. Where in the cell is replication occurring? (Hint: look at the diagram to the right of the DNA
molecule that says you are here)? ___________________________
Step 2: Match bases to make two new DNA strands by clicking and dragging.

An enzyme, DNA _____________________________ (look in your notes if you don’t
know), is responsible for carrying in new nucleotides and placing them with the parent strands.
A. In order to complete the above step on the computer, you need to follow the
base- pairing rule.
B. Fill in the base-pairing rule as it applies to making complementary strands of
DNA:
Bases found in DNA
Complementary bases in DNA
G
C
T
A

Are the two new strands the same or different after replication? _________________________
Part II - Firefly – Protein Synthesis:
Go to the following website and follow the instructions below.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/
1. Click on “What is a gene?” Follow through this tutorial answering the questions below:
a. Define gene: ____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
b. What protein do our red blood cells use to carry oxygen? ___________________________
What disease is the result of a mutation in the gene that codes for the protein used to carry
oxygen in our red blood cells? _______________________________________________
2. Now click on “What is a Protein?” Answer the questions below.
a. What type of proteins are involved in sending a pain signal?
___________________________________________________________________
b. Another type of protein is a structural protein. How do structural proteins help nerve cells?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What process is taking place in the nucleus in which DNA is used as a template to make
mRNA? __________________________
d. What process is taking place at the ribosome to make the protein? __________________
3. When you are done with this page, get back to the original page by clicking the Home button in the
top left corner of the page.
4. Click on the link “Molecules of Inheritance” and then click on “Transcribe and Translate a
Gene.”
5. Click on the link “Are you ready to transcribe a DNA sequence and translate it into a protein –
Click here to begin”
6. Type in the correct mRNA sequence based on the DNA template.
7. Drag the cursor over the start codon and click. (Note: If you don’t remember what the start codon
is, look it up in your notes or the book).
8. Now click and drag on the correct amino acid and place it in the corresponding box over the mRNA
strand. Record the AMINO ACIDS composing the protein below. (You should list 5 amino acids).
______________________________________________________________________________
9. What is the start CODON? ____________________________________
10. How many stop codons are there TOTAL in the genetic code chart?_______________________
11. Click the “Molecules of Inheritance” button in the top left corner of the screen. Click on the link
“What Makes a Firefly Glow.”
12. Work your way through the activity by clicking Play and READ the information on each page.
Answer the questions below:
a. What enzyme do fireflies produce that generates light? ____________________________
b. What organic molecule group do enzymes belong? (prior knowledge) ________________
c. What gene specifies the amino acid sequence to produce the enzyme from question 12a?
________________________________________________________________________
d. RNA polymerase is used to unwind and unzip the DNA and add in new mRNA nucleotides
to make mRNA. What step of protein synthesis is occurring? _______________________.
e. Where does the process from 12d occur in a cell? ________________________________
f.
The mRNA moves out of the _____________________________ and then attaches to a
________________________ after the process from 12d is complete.
g. In this animation, what very important molecule is not present during the process of
translation? Hint: The amino acids (different colored circles) don’t just pop out of the
ribosome by themselves. What brings the amino acids to the ribosome?
___________________
h. How does the Luciferase enzyme become functional after the process of translation is
completed?_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
i.
What are 2 reasons fireflies tails glow? These reasons are in the paragraphs underneath
the animation.
DNA & Protein Synthesis Crossword
ACROSS
2 another name for a protein
1 sugar in DNA
6 building blocks of DNA and RNA
3 segment of DNA that codes for a protein
7 series of 3 nucleotides on mRNA
10 enzyme that unwinds and unzips DNA during replication
4 weak bond found between nitrogen bases in
DNA
5 series of 3 nucleotides on tRNA
11 occurs before a cell divides
8 bond that joins together amino acids
13 nitrogen base found in RNA instead of thymine
9 process that uses DNA to make mRNA
15 process that occurs at the ribosome and joins together amino
acids
12 makes up the structure of the ribosome
16 sugar in RNA
14 A is ______ to T and C is _____ to G (same
word)
18 strong bond found in the backbone of DNA
17 how DNA replicates pairing half of the old strand with a new
strand
19 enzyme that adds new nucleotides to make DNA or RNA
20 building blocks of proteins
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