Download Simulating Protein Synthesis to create a CHNOPS! Read the

Simulating Protein Synthesis to create a CHNOPS!
Read the following to help you complete a successful CHNOPS organism.
 Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics such as hair color as blood
type. Genes consist of DNA molecules that code for the proteins our cells make. The
sequence of nucleotides (and therefore the sequence of bases) in DNA determines the
sequence of amino acids in proteins.
 During transcription, which takes place in the nucleus of the cell, messenger RNA
(mRNA) molecules are built along the DNA sequence into a single RNA strand.
mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the ribosome where proteins are made.
 The 3-base codons in the mRNA strand will pair up with anticodons on the transfer
RNA (tRNA) molecules. Each tRNA carries an amino acid to the ribosome, and these
amino acids link together to form a protein. The process in which the original DNA
information (carried by the mRNA) is transferred into a protein is called translation.
In this investigation you will simulate the process of transcription and translation to create the
proteins that will develop the characteristic traits of your CHNOPS. What is a CHNOPS? It
is a simple organism that contains only one chromosome. This chromosome is made up of 6
genes (A, B, C, D, E, F). Each gene is responsible for a certain trait of the organism. What
does a CHNOPS look like? Well, that’s for you to show us!
PROCEDURE:
1. To determine the trait for Gene A of your CHNOPS, notice the sequence of nucleotides in
the DNA. On the line provided, write the sequence of nucleotides of mRNA that are
complementary to DNA (this step represents transcription).
2. In order to determine the sequence of amino acids, use the codon chart to determine your
amino acid sequence, and record this in the data table (this step represents translation).
3. Using the trait chart, find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record the
information in the data table.
4. Repeat the steps for the remaining genes (B through F).
5. Complete the analysis questions and create a drawing of your CHNOPS. All CHNOPS
should contain school appropriate distinguishing marks. NO INAPPROPRIATE PARTS.
Analysis Questions:
1. What does the sequence of DNA represent?
2. What does that (answer from above) control about an organism?
3. What is the base pairing rule of DNA to mRNA?
4. Complete the Venn Diagram about transcription and translation. Put at least two pieces of
information in each of the three areas.
i. TRANSCRIPTION
5. Distinguish between translation & transcription.
TRANSLATION
6. What is the specific site for transcription & translation in the cell?
7. How many tRNA nucleotides form an anticodon that will attach to the mRNA codon?
CRITICAL THINKING and APPLICATION
8. Suppose you knew the makeup of specific proteins in a cell. How would you determine the particular
DNA code that coded for them? (Hint: Given the trait, how would you find the DNA)
9. 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)
Amino Acid Sequence
Trait
Tryptophane, Proline, Isoleucine,
BLACK SPOTS
Tryptophan, Valine, Isoleucine
STRIPES
Asparagine, Alanine
FOUR LEGS
Proline, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine
LONG TAIL
Valine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine
NO TAIL
Lysine, Phenylalanine
CURLY HAIR
Lysine, Tyrosine
STRAIGHT HAIR
Proline, Glutamine, Alanine
RED SKIN
Proline, Glutamine, Glutamine
GREEN SKIN
Threonine, Threonine, Aspartate
MALE (baseball cap)
Threonine, Threonine, Leucine
FEMALE (bow in hair)
Draw your CHNOPS Below:
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
#1
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, build a model to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC CAT TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT ATG
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: GGG AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT CTA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
#2
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, build a model to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC CAT TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT AAA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT GTT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT AAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
#3
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, build a model to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC GGA TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT ATG
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT GTT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT CTA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________