Build-a-Bug Workshop
Introduction:
DNA is the blueprint for protein synthesis. By controlling protein production, DNA controls all cellular
functions. How does it do this? Protein is produced by ribosomes that are found in the cytoplasm. DNA is
stored and protected in the nucleus. In order for DNA to transmit the required information to the ribosomes it
must be copied into RNA. This process is called transcription. This mRNA can then move out into the
cytoplasm to the ribosomes for protein production. In the ribosome, the mRNA is decoded to build a protein.
This process is called translation. Translation occurs when tRNA molecules attach the proper amino acids to
the mRNA codon. A chain of amino acids is called a polypeptide.
Your task is to transcribe and translate 11 gene sequences for a given bug. Once you know the bug’s traits, you
are to draw and color it. No two bugs will be the same!
Directions:
1. Start with gene 1. Transcribe the DNA sequence into mRNA. (*Remember- Uracil replaces Thymine in
RNA.)
2. Next, use the 3 mRNA codons to determine the 3 tRNA anti-codons.
3. Use the 3 mRNA codons to determine the amino acid number in FIGURE 1.
4. Now you should have a sequence of 3 amino acid numbers. Look this sequence up in FIGURE 2 and
write down the trait.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the remaining genes. Make sure to be careful on each step and record the proper
information. An error will cause a mutation!
6. Once all 11 traits have been found, go to FIGURE 3 and determine insect parts for your bug. Note:
genes 8-11 do not have parts… they are traits for color.
7. Use the back of the gene sequence worksheet to draw and color your bug.
Practice Examples:
Gene:
DNA:
1
Gene:
CCC
ATC
AGG
DNA:
2
CGA
mRNA:
mRNA:
tRNA:
tRNA:
Amino Acid
Sequence:
Amino Acid
Sequence:
Trait:
Trait:
TTT
CTA
GENES
Gene 1 = body style
Gene 5 = mouth parts
Gene 9 = wing color
Gene 2 = leg sytle
Gene 6 = eye style
Gene 10 = appendage color
Gene 3 = wing style
Gene 7 = tail style
Gene 11 = eye color
Gene 4 = antennae style
Gene 8 = body color
FIGURE 1
mRNA codon
Amino Acid Number
UGG……….………….…………….20
UCG…………….…………..………16
GCU……………………..…………...2
UUG………………………………….4
GCG………………………………….3
CCC…………………………………..5
UCC…………………………………..7
UUU…………………………………..8
AAA…………………………….…….9
CCA……………………………….…12
AUA………………………………….13
GGG……………………………..……1
UAG……………………….………….6
GAU…………………………………10
CCU…….…………………………....11
GAC………..…….…………………..14
UAU………………………….……...15
CCG…………………………………19
UGU…………………………………17
ACA…………………………………18
2
FIGURE 2
Amino Acid Sequence
Trait
1-2-3
1-4-5
1-6-7
1-8-9
1-10-11
1-12-13
1-14-15
Body style 1
Body style 2
Body style 3
Body style 4
Body style 5
Body style 6
Body style 7
2-3-4
2-5-6
2-7-8
2-9-10
Leg style 1
Leg style 2
Leg style 3
Leg style 4
3-4-5
3-6-7
3-8-9
3-10-11
3-12-13
3-14-15
Wings 1
Wings 2
Wings 3
Wings 4
Wings 5
Wings 6
20-19-18
20-17-16
20-15-14
20-13-12
Antennae 1
Antennae 2
Antennae 3
Antennae 4
19-18-17
19-16-15
19-14-13
Mouth parts 1
Mouth parts 2
Mouth parts 3
18-17-16
18-15-14
18-13-12
Eyes 1
Eyes 2
Eyes 3
3
FIGURE 2 continued
Amino Acid Sequence
Trait
17-16-15
17-14-13
17-12-11
17-10-9
Tail 1
Tail 2
Tail 3
Tail 4
12-13-14
12-15-16
12-17-18
12-19-20
12-1-2
12-3-4
12-5-6
Body color – black
Body color – yellow/black
Body color – red/yellow
Body color – blue
Body color – green/yellow
Body color – brown
Body color – purple
13-14-15
13-16-17
13-18-19
13-20-1
13-2-3
13-4-5
Wing color – orange/black
Wing color – red/yellow
Wing color – blue/yellow
Wing color – red/blue
Wing color – yellow/black
Wing color – green/yellow
20-15-10
All appendages black
13-10-5
13-9-4
13-8-3
13-7-2
Eye color – red
Eye color – black
Eye color – yellow
Eye color – orange
4
5