Protein Synthesis Reinforcement Activity
Today you will be completing a virtual lab that experiments with
DNA replication and protein synthesis. The purpose of the lab is to
actually manipulate the DNA and RNA in order to create a
protein at the end.
An embryonic cell divides again and again. Where there was one
cell there are two, then four, then eight, etc. Each holds all the
genetic information needed to create a human being. How, exactly,
do these cells make copies of themselves? Hair grows from your head, nonstop, day in
and day out. The cells of your hair follicles somehow generate all of the protein that
makes up this hair. How is this protein created?
The answers to these questions are DNA replication and protein synthesis.
Directions (Please follow these directions rather than the ones given within the lab!):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/
1. Go to your teacher’s website and click on the “Links” tab
2. Scroll through the links until you get to the link entitled “DNA Workshop” (check
under the category “Biology—DNA”)
3. Once at the website, you will see a link about halfway down the page that says
“DNA Workshop”. Click on this link and make the new page that opens up full screen
so you can see the animations more clearly.
4. To complete this activity you will need to start by clicking the button entitled “DNA
Replication”. Follow the prompts from the animation to go through the whole
process of DNA replication. Be aware that some of the information that pops up on
the screen will help you answer some of the analysis questions.
5. To complete this second part of this activity you will need to start by clicking the
button entitled “Protein Synthesis”. Follow the prompts from the animation to go
through the whole process of protein synthesis. Be aware that some of the
information that pops up on the screen will help you answer some of the analysis
questions.
6. Be sure to logout and return the computer to the cart once completed.
Analysis Questions
1. What are the 3 steps for DNA replication?
2. What nitrogen base pairs match up with each other during DNA replication?
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3. Where does DNA replication take place in the cell? (Hint: Look at the bottom right of
the animation!)
4. What are the steps involved during the process of transcription?
5. What nitrogen base pairs match up with each other during transcription?
6. In basic terms, during transcription you go from _____________ to creating ____________.
7. What type of RNA is made at the end of transcription? Why is it called this?
8. Where does transcription take place in the cell? (Hint: Look at the bottom right of the
animation!)
9. What is the function of the ribosome in the cell?
10. What are the steps involved during the process of translation?
11. What nitrogen base pairs match up with each other during translation?
12. The _______________ on mRNA match up with _____________________ on tRNA.
13. What do the tRNA molecules carry to the ribosome?
14. What type of bond forms between two amino acids that are meeting at the
ribosome?
15. What is produced at the end of translation?
16. Where does translation take place in the cell? (Hint: Look at the bottom right of the
animation!)
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