Name ___________________________________ Period __________ Date _______________
Modeling Protein Synthesis Lab
Objectives:
 To simulate the process of protein synthesis, using paper clips.
 To translate codons and identify the correct sequence of amino acids.
Hypothesis: In which strands do you expect to see similarities: DNA, complementary DNA, mRNA and/or tRNA?
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Materials:
 Colored paper clips
 Masking tape
 Shower curtain loops
 Textbook
 Pencil/Marker
*Adenine and Guanine will be large paper clips.
*Thymine, Cytosine, and Uracil will be small paper clips.
Write in the colors for your paper clips below.
Bases Color
Adenine & Thymine
Guanine & Cytosine
Uracil
PYRIMIDINES
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PURINES

Procedure:
1) Cut a piece of masking tape about 6 inches long. Using the paper clips and key above, make the following DNA strand:
TAC TGT CGA GAA ACT
Have your teacher check it before continuing.
2) Write on the masking tape “template strand”.
3) Fill in the chart below with what your DNA complement strand should be, and then create your double stranded DNA with your paperclips. Label this strand “complementary strand” on your masking tape. Notice the pattern of how they fit into each other to maintain a uniform width.
T A C T G T C G A G A A A C T
4) Now “unzip” your DNA strands and use the “template strand” to create an mRNA strand. Use the table below to fill in what your new nucleotide bases will be.
T A C T G T C G A G A A A C T
5) Using your “mRNA” strand, create your 5 tRNA molecules with their anti-codon. Use the table below to fill in what your tRNA molecules will be.
A U G A C A G C U C U U U G A
6) Label each tRNA molecule “tRNA” and using the genetic code, translate each codon into its amino acid and write it on the back.
7) Attach an amino acid to each tRNA molecule. Use the chart below to determine the sequence. Then link your amino acids together.
**If the codon is STOP, then there is no amino acid**
Blue
Phe, Ser, Met,
Pro, Gly
White
Cys, Thr, His,
Arg, Val
Green
Leu, Trp, Gln,
Ile, Thr
Beige
Asp, Ala, Tyr,
Trp, Asn
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Results:
Write the amino acid sequence below, and under each box indicate the color of the amino acid ring.
Analysis:
1) What is DNA replication?
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2) Compare and contrast transcription and translation.
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3) What are the groups of three letter sequences on an mRNA strand called?
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4) What are the corresponding groups of three letter sequences found on tRNA molecules called?
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5) How is the tRNA base sequence similar to the original DNA strand?
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6) What is the final product of translation?
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7) Why is the genetic code referred to as universal?
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8) Would a mutation in the original strand of DNA or in the transcription of the mRNA strand be more of a concern? Explain why.
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