Name: __________________________
DNA & Protein Synthesis Activity
Background: Every cell uses DNA as its genetic information. Thus, DNA provides the blueprints, and
proteins serve as the tools that actually build and maintain the cell and carry out its activities.
Objective: Students will create an illustration to explain the organization and functioning of living things
through the production of proteins.
Required Components:
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
rRNA: ribosomal RNA
Transcription
CATEGORY
Neatness
4
Story is readable, clean,
neat and attractive. It is
free of erasures and
crossed-out words. It
looks like the author took
great pride in it.
Focus on
Assigned
Topic
The entire story is
related to the assigned
topic and allows the
reader to understand
much more about the
topic.
Organization
Spelling and
Punctuation
The story is very well
organized. One idea or
scene follows another in
a logical sequence with
clear transitions.
There are no spelling or
punctuation errors
Accuracy of
Facts
All facts presented in the
story are accurate.
Creativity
The story contains many
creative details and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the reader's
enjoyment. The author
has really used his/her
imagination.
Illustrations are detailed,
attractive, creative, &
relevant
All of the required
components are
included
Illustrations
Components
Title
Title is creative, sparks
interest and is related to
the story and topic.
mRNA: messenger RNA
Polypeptide/Protein
Translation
Amino acids
cytoplasm
anticodon
codon
nucleus
tRNA
3
Story is readable, neat
and attractive. It may
have one or two
erasures, but they are not
distracting. It looks like
the author took some
pride in it.
Most of the story is
related to the assigned
topic. The story wanders
off at one point, but the
reader can still learn
something about the
topic.
The story is pretty well
organized. One idea or
scene may seem out of
place. Clear transitions
are used.
There is one spelling or
punctuation
2
Story is readable and
some of the pages are
attractive. It looks like
parts of it might have
been done in a hurry.
1
Story is not neat or
attractive. It looks like the
student just wanted to get
it done and didn't care
what it looked like.
Some of the story is
related to the assigned
topic, but a reader does
not learn much about
the topic.
No attempt has been
made to relate the story to
the assigned topic.
The story is a little hard
to follow. The
transitions are
sometimes not clear.
Ideas and scenes seem to
be randomly arranged.
There are 2-3 spelling
and punctuation errors
Almost all facts
presented in the story are
accurate.
The story contains a few
creative details and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the reader's
enjoyment. The author
has used his/her
imagination.
Illustrations are
somewhat detailed,
attractive, and relevant
Missing one component
Most facts presented in
the story are accurate
The final draft has more
than 3 spelling and
punctuation errors.
There are several factual
errors in the story.
Title is related to the
story and topic.
Title is present, but
does not appear to be
related to the story and
topic.
The story contains a
few creative details
and/or descriptions, but
they distract from the
story. The author has
tried to use his/her
imagination.
Illustrations are relevant
Missing two
components
There is little evidence of
creativity in the story. The
author does not seem to
have used much
imagination.
Illustrations are not
present OR they are not
relevant
More than two
components are missing
No title.
Personal Reflection:
Compare your product with others in the room.
1) Is there anything that you would change about your work? Explain.
2) How has this assignment enhanced your understanding of DNA and its role in controlling the activities
of the cell?