Monster Synthesis Activity
Purpose: To examine how an organism’s DNA determines their phenotypes.
Background Information:
Your unique body characteristics (traits), such as hair color or blood type, are determined by the proteins
your body produces. Proteins are the building block of life - in fact, about 45% of the human body is made
of protein. These organic macromolecules perform a wide range of functions including body repair,
regulation, and protection. Proteins are created by bonding groups of amino acids that are coded for by
the nucleotide base sequences (A, T, G, and C) in your DNA.
DNA is trapped in the nucleus because it is too wide to escape through the small nuclear pores in the
nuclear membrane. This is a big issue for the cell, since proteins are made outside the nucleus in the
cytoplasm. For this reason, a process called transcription occurs. DNA passes on its nucleotide base
sequences, or code, to a single-stranded molecule called mRNA (messenger). mRNA then carries the code
out to the cytoplasm to the ribosomes, the site where proteins are made.
When the mRNA reaches the ribosome, the code in the mRNA nucleotides are read in groups of three
bases, or codons. It takes three bases to code for a single amino acid. Each codon signals another type of
RNA, called tRNA (transfer), to carry a specific amino acid into the ribosome. As amino acids continue to
bond to one another it forms a polypeptide chain that eventually results in a protein. This process is
known as translation.
In this activity, you will simulate protein synthesis by transcribing the DNA and translating the mRNA of
the imaginary CHNOPS monster. You will decode each gene to determine the phenotypic expression of
the CHNOPS monster’s DNA, and then draw the monster based on your results.
Background Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences, restating the question
within your answer.
1. What is the monomer for proteins?
2. Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins?
3. What happens during transcription? Where in the cell does transcription take place?
4. What is the function of mRNA?
5. How many bases make up a codon? If you have 30 bases, how many amino acids would it code for?
6. What are the base pair rules when going from DNA to mRNA?
7. What happens during translation? Where in the cell does translation take place?
Instructions:
1. Pick out a DNA strand for each category.
a. Write down the DNA strand and allele number on your “Monster Synthesis Data Sheet”
b. Transcribe each DNA strand into mRNA.
c. Translate the mRNA strand into an amino acid sequence using the genetic codon chart.
d. Write down the physical appearance (phenotype) based on the amino acid sequence you
have decoded.
2. Draw a picture of your Monster on a separate sheet of blank paper based on the traits that you
have decoded.
Monster Synthesis Activity
Monster DNA SEQUENCES:
1. Pick a DNA strand for HAIR COLOR.
Allele 1: TACATACGCGGGATT
Allele 2: TACATACGCGTAATT
Allele 3: TACGGGCCCAAAATT
Allele 4: TACGGCCCTTTTATT
2. Pick a DNA strand for EYE COLOR.
Allele 1: TACATACGCGGGATT
Allele 2: TACATACGCGTAATT
Allele 3: TACGGGCCCAAAATT
Allele 4: TACGGCCCTTTTATT
3. Pick a DNA strand for HAND SIZE.
Allele 5: TACAAATTTCCCATC
Allele 6: TACCAACATCAGATC
Allele 7: TACGTAGTGGCTATC
4. Pick a DNA strand for FEET SIZE.
Allele 5: TACAAATTTCCCATC
Allele 6: TACCAACATCAGATC
Allele 7: TACGTAGTGGCTATC
5. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER of
FEET.
Allele 8: TACTATCCGATAATC
Allele 9: TACTATCCGTATATC
Allele 10: TACTATCCGTGAATC
Allele 11: TACTATCCGAGGATC
Allele 12: TACTATCCGGGGATC
Allele 13: TACTATCCGGCAATC
6. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER of
HANDS.
Allele 8: TACTATCCGATAATC
Allele 9: TACTATCCGTATATC
Allele 10: TACTATCCGTGAATC
Allele 11: TACTATCCGAGGATC
Allele 12: TACTATCCGGGGATC
Allele 13: TACTATCCGGCAATC
7. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER OF
EYES.
Allele 8: TACTATCCGATAATC
Allele 9: TACTATCCGTATATC
Allele 10: TACTATCCGTGAATC
Allele 11: TACTATCCGAGGATC
Allele 12: TACTATCCGGGGATC
Allele 13: TACTATCCGGCAATC
8. Pick a DNA strand for FUR TYPE.
Allele 14: TACACAACGACCATT
Allele 15: TACACAACGCTTATT
9. Pick a DNA strand for GENDER.
Allele 16: TACAAATTTTTTATC
Allele 17: TACAAATTTGCAATC
10. Pick a DNA strand for HORNS.
Allele 18: TACCTTGTAGTAATT
Allele 19: TACCTTGTATCAATT
11. Pick a DNA strand for ACCESSORY.
Allele 20: TACAAAAGTGAAATT
Allele 21: TACAAAAGTAAAATT
12. Pick a DNA strand for TYPE of
WINGS.
Allele 22: TACCAACGAGAAATT
Allele 23: TACCATCGAGTCATT
13. Pick a DNA strand for TEETH.
Allele 24: TACATACGCCTCATT
Allele 25: TACTTACGCGGAATT
Allele 26: TACGGGTTAAAAATT
Monster Synthesis Activity
Amino Acid Sequences and the Traits they code for:
First Base
U
C
A
G
U
C
A
G
U
C
A
G
U
C
A
G
Third Base
Tyr – Ala – Pro = Green and Yellow
Iso – Gly – Thr = One
Second Base
Asp – Ala – Pro = Straight
U
C
A
G
Val – Val – Val = Really big
Phe
Ser
Tyr
Cys
Val – Ala – Leu = Insect like
Phe
Ser
Tyr
Cys
Pro – Gly – Phe = Pink and Purple
U Leu
Ser
Stop
Stop
Pro – Asp – Phe = Missing Teeth
Leu
Ser
Stop
Try
Cys – Cys – Glu = Rough and Curly
Leu
Pro
His
Arg
Phe – Lys – Lys = Male
Leu
Pro
His
Arg
C
Iso – Gly – Pro = Eight
Leu
Pro
Glu
Arg
Leu
Pro
Glu
Arg
Tyr – Ala – Glu = Crooked
Iso
Thr
Asp
Ser
Pro – Gly – Lys – Black and Red
Iso
Thr
Asp
Ser
Iso – Gly – Iso = Four
A
Iso
Thr
Lys
Arg
Tyr – Ala – His = Orange and Blue
Met
Thr
Lys
Arg
Phe – Lys – Arg = Female
Val
Ala
Asp
Gly
Phe – Ser – Phe = Hat
Val
Ala
Asp
Gly
G
Phe – Lys – Gly = Small
Val
Ala
Glu
Gly
Val
Ala
Glu
Gly
His – His – Arg = Medium
Glu – His – His = One
Phe – Ser – Leu = Cape/ Bling-Bline (male), Earrings/Purse (female)
Iso – Gly – Ser = Two
Iso – Gly – Tyr = One
Val – Ala – Gly = Bird like
Iso – Gly – Arg = Five
Glu – His – Ser = Two
Cys – Cys – Try = Smooth and Straight
Monster Synthesis Data Sheet
1. Gene for Hair Color (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
2. Gene for Eye Color (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
3. Gene for Hand Size (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
4. Gene for Feet Size (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
5. Gene for Number of Feet (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
6. Gene for Number of Hands (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
7. Gene for Number of Eyes (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
8. Gene for Fur Type (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
9. Gene for Gender (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
10. Gene for Horns (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
11. Gene for Accessory (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
12. Gene for Wings (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
13. Gene for Teeth (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
Monster Synthesis Data Sheet
1. Gene for Hair Color (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
2. Gene for Eye Color (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
3. Gene for Hand Size (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
4. Gene for Feet Size (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
5. Gene for Number of Feet (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
6. Gene for Number of Hands (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
7. Gene for Number of Eyes (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
8. Gene for Fur Type (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
9. Gene for Gender (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
10. Gene for Horns (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
11. Gene for Accessory (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
12. Gene for Wings (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
13. Gene for Teeth (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________
mRNA: _______________________________________________
Amino Acid: _________________________________________
Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________