Cracking the Code

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A GENE is a section of a DNA molecule that contains the information to code for one complete protein
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PROTEINS are made up of a chain of amino acids
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Proteins determine many of the traits in an organism

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DNA is made up of a chain of nitrogen bases:
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A, T, C, G
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The ORDER of nitrogen bases along a gene forms a genetic code that specifies which amino acids are put together to form the protein

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Messenger RNA carries the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm

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Messenger RNA attaches to a ribosome, which
“reads” the code 3 bases at a time (codon)

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Transfer RNA’s, attached to amino acids, pair with the 3-letter codes of messenger RNA

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The amino acids link in a chain, creating a protein molecule

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You will transcribe DNA into RNA, then translate RNA into “protein”
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Work in groups of 3:
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1 messenger RNA
1 ribosome
1 transfer RNA
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Each member has specific instructions
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Raise your hand when you’ve cracked the code!