NAME:_______________________PERIOD:_____DATE:_______
Protein Synthesis Relay Races
Objectives:
☺ To take a DNA sequence and make a specific amino acid sequence through the
processes of transcription and translation
☺ Use the amino acid sequence to identify the protein that it codes for.
Materials:
☺ DNA sequence
☺ mRNA cards
☺ amino acid cards
☺ amino acid wheel
☺ ribosome unit
☺ fasteners
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What two processes must occur to make a protein and where does each occur?
1st Process: ____________________
Occurs where:____________________
2nd Process:____________________
Occurs where:____________________
2. Describe what happens during the first process in making a protein?
3. Describe what happens during the second process in making a protein?
Possible Proteins
M.C. Hammerase Protein
If this protein is made it causes the organism to start singing “You Can’t Touch This”
over and over until it manages to score a goal on the soccer field. This organism will
also grow a mullet and have the uncontrollable urge to wear hammer pants.
methionine – valine – glutamic acid – serine – proline – leucine – threonine – aspartic
acid – tryptophan – asparagines – proline – aspartic acid – arginine – arginine – stop
Witchy Fishyase Protein
If this protein is made it causes the organism to be very sarcastic and sing Happy
Birthday in a high pitch squeaky voice. This organism eats chocolate chip cookies
uncontrollably and enjoys making fun of 15-16 year olds.
methionine – glycine – lysine – tryptophan – asparagines – proline – alanine –
phenylalanine – cysteine – threonine – arginine – asparagines – leucine – alanine –
stop
Dusty Busterase Protein
If this protein is made it causes the organism to clean uncontrollably. They just can’t
stop until everything is in its right place. The organism will eventually develop OCD.
methionine – valine – serine – leucine – alanine – leucine – histidine – tyrosine –
cysteine – threonine – glutamine – isoleucine – proline – glycine – stop
Results
1. Using your amino acid sequence identify the protein that it codes for.
2. What are the unique characteristics that your protein will result in?
3. If you discovered a protein what would you name it and what would its unique
characteristics be? (the more creative you are the more points you earn)
DNA Gene Sequence 1 (blue, pink, yellow)
T-A-C-C-A-G-C-T-C-A-G-T-G-G-A-A-A-C-T-G-T-C-T-A-A-C-C-T-T-A-G-G-G-C-T-G-G-C-T-T-C-C-A-C-T
DNA Gene Sequence 2 (green, orange, lavender)
T-A-C-C-C-C-T-T-C-A-C-C-T-T-A-G-G-T-C-G-A-A-A-A-A-C-G-T-G-G-G-C-A-T-T-G-A-A-T-C-G-T-A-T-C