Biology
Name______________________
CHiNOPS :
Block_____
A Model of Protein Synthesis
Objectives: Students will be able to
1. Apply the processes of transcription and translation to a DNA
sequence.
2. Explain the one gene produces one protein concept in living
organisms.
3. Create a functional DNA sequence from the sequence of amino
acids in a protein.
Background:
How does DNA code produce traits that
can be observed in an organism?
DNA contains the information for all the diversity of life
on the planet from a firefly’s glow produced by luciferase
enzyme activity to the intense blue color of a gentian flower
made by another enzyme.
DNA is a polymer with millions of nucleotides in the
strands of the chromosomes. DNA is the source of information to operate a
cell. Sections of the DNA code for proteins. Some 20,000 genes
(estimated) code for proteins. Other segments of DNA code for RNA that
regulates the production of proteins (1,000’s more). Each portion of DNA
coding for a protein is a gene. Genes control the traits that we can observe
in an organism. Using the DNA to build an RNA molecule is transcription
The sequence of base pairs in DNA is read in triplets of nucleotides. A
triplet specifies a single amino acid. Each triplet is a codon. Each codon will
bond with a specific anticodon on a transfer RNA (tRNA). tRNA are carriers
of the amino acids that will be used to build a protein. When the messenger
RNA (mRNA) binds with a ribosome, the construction of a specific protein
can begin. tRNA deliver amino acids to be assembled at the ribosome. The
process of assembling amino acids into a polypeptide, a protein, is called
translation.
The sequence of nucleotides determines the sequence of amino acids
in a protein. The finished structure of the protein determines what it can do:
an enzyme, a pigment, a structural protein in muscle, and many other
functions.
In this investigation, you will simulate the process of protein synthesis
and thereby determine the traits inherited by fictitious organisms called
CHiNOPS. CHiNOPS are members of the kingdom Animalia, and their cells
contain one chromosome. A CHiNOPS chromosome is made up of only six
genes (A, B, C, D, E, and F), each of which is responsible for one specific
trait.
Biology
Name______________________
Block_____
Prelab Questions:
1. Where will transcription take place (Hint: where is the DNA located?)
Why?____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. Which molecule is used as a template to build proteins? Circle one.
DNA
tRNA
mRNA
rRNA
Protein
Enzyme
Transcription
>Takes place in the nucleus.
>mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA are
made from the DNA strand
.
Translation
Procedure:
>Takes place at the ribosome
(rRNA) in the cytoplasm.
>mRNA codons are read and the
matching.
>Transfer RNA (tRNA) carries the
amino acid to be added to the
polypeptide chain.
1. To determine the trait for Gene A of your CHiNOPS, fill in the
information in the box labeled Gene A in the Data Table. First,
simulate transcription by using the DNA sequence to write a
complementary sequence of mRNA. Then, simulate translation by
using the charts provided to translate the mRNA codons into an amino
acid sequence.
Biology
Name______________________
Block_____
2. Using the charts provided, find the trait that matches the amino acid
sequence for Gene A. Record this information in the appropriate place
in the Data Table.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the remaining genes (B through F)
4. Using all the inherited traits, sketch your CHiNOPS in the space
provided below the Data Table – in color. Label the traits
mRNA
UGG
UCG
GCU
UUG
AUU
CCC
UGU
UUU
AAA
AAC
AGA
GGG
CAC
GAU
GAG
Amino Acid
Tryptophan
Serine
Alanine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Proline
Cysteine
Phenylalanine
Lysine
Asparagine
Arginine
Glycine
Histidine
Aspartic Acid
Glutamic Acid
Amino Acid Sequence
Trait
Tryp-GluA-Arg
Hairless
Tryp-Asp-Arg
Hairy
Tryp-Iso-Pro
Plump
Arg-Iso-Leu
Skinny
Ser-Ala
Four-legged
Asp-Cys-Phe-Gly
Long nose
Pro-Cys-Phe-Gly
Short nose
Lys-Phe
No freckles
Lys-Leu
Freckles
GluA-AspA-Ala
Blue skin
GluA-AspA-AspA
Orange skin
His-His-AspA
Male
His-His-Thr
Female
Gene A
DNA ACC TTG TCT
mRNA _______________
Amino acid
Sequence _____________
Trait _________________
Gene B
DNA AGC CGA
mRNA _______________
Amino acid
Sequence _____________
Trait _________________
Gene C
DNA TTT AAC
mRNA _______________
Amino acid
Sequence _____________
Trait _________________
Gene D
DNA CTC CTA CGA
mRNA _______________
Amino acid
Sequence _____________
Trait _________________
Gene E
DNA GGG ACA AAA CCC
mRNA ________________
Amino acid
Sequence ______________
Trait __________________
Gene F
DNA GTG GTG CTA
mRNA _______________
Amino acid
Sequence _____________
Trait _________________
Biology
Name______________________
Block_____
Finally, answer the questions provided.
3. What is the function of a codon? (Hint: which molecule is it found on?)
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Name of your CHiNOPS____________________________________
Give a scientific name with genus and species.
Biology
Name______________________
Block_____
4. Name two traits your CHiNOPS has that are NOT coded for by the six
genes (A-F). Example: curved back, 2 eyes, 8 eyes, tail, or other
physical trait.
Use the table below to record your trait. Use what you know about
translation to use the process in reverse order.
Create a sequence of 2 to 4 amino acids for the protein responsible for
your trait.
Make a mRNA sequence, and from the mRNA make a DNA sequence.
Gene W
DNA
mRNA ____________________________3
Amino acid
Sequence __________________________2
Trait ______________________________1
Gene Z
DNA
mRNA ____________________________3
Amino acid
Sequence __________________________2
Trait ______________________________1
5. You have reverse engineered a DNA sequence for your traits. When
transcribing DNA to RNA and translating RNA to protein, there is one
possible outcome without errors. How many DNA sequences are
possible for your proteins when going through the reverse process?
One, two, or more than two? Why?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Resources:
Department Staff, 2014, Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms, National Human
Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health,
http://www.genome.gov/Glossary/
Department Staff, 2014, What’s a Gene? Interviews, National Human
Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health,
http://www.genome.gov/27554026
Department Staff, 2014, Transcription and Translation, PBS LearningMedia
adapted from Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of
Nebraska,
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/lsps07.sci.life.stru.celltrans/celltranscription-and-translation/
Biology
Name______________________
Block_____