Subject/Course Title:
Unit Title/Skill Set:
Overview: This unit examines the role of nucleic acids and cellular organelles in the production of proteins and the resultant expression of phenotype.
Unit Essential Question(s): How do organisms use DNA and RNA to make proteins? What factors affect gene expression?
Unit Competencies—What students need to be able to do (skills) as Do Now’s.
2. Explain the structural relationships between DNA, genes, and chromosomes.
4. Describe how DNA replication results in the transmission and/or conservation of the genetic
information.
8. Describe the role of the nucleus, ribosomes, ER, and Golgi apparatus in the production and processing
of proteins.
9. Describe how genetic mutations alter DNA sequence and may or may not affect phenotype.
10. Explain the unified process of protein synthesis.
Unit Concepts—What students need to know as Guided Reading

Structure of DNA o
Components of a nucleotide o
Base-pair rule (Chargaff’s Rule)

Structure of eukaryotic chromosomes

Semi-conservative/DNA replication process

Similarities and differences between DNA and RNA

Types of RNA

Transcription uses DNA to make RNA

Translation uses RNA to make a protein

Role of ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in assembling, transporting, packaging and modifying different proteins

Phenotype as a function of gene expression (DNA to protein to phenotype)

Different types of gene mutations

Possible effect of mutation (change in the DNA sequence) on phenotype

Environmental influences on phenotype

NUCLEIC ACIDS: DNA, RNA, and PROTEIN SYNTHESIS SYLLABUS
1.
Every reading assignment is expected to be completed BEFORE you come to class. Confused about the reading? Prepare questions to ask in class AS YOU READ.
2.
Be a Scout and Be Prepared…Reading quizzes may be given at ANY time.
3.
Homework is due ON THE DUE DATE (Sectionals—Turn in on the due date…Field trips and illnesses—turn in on your first day back.).
4.
Do Now’s are to be completed in class and turned in THAT BLOCK. (Absent??—Turn in first day back. Questions on the reading that goes with the Do Now??—Turn in written question specifying what you don’t understand. Be specific. Don’t say, “I don’t get it”.)
5.
Vocabulary understanding is necessary. Attend to the words at the beginning of each chapter, or words that you encounter that are new to you.
6.
**In order for you to participate in structured activities and labs, you must have your Guided Reading up-to-date as well as your vocabulary.
7.
Labs are to be read beforehand.
/ DUE DAY
1
3
LESSON
Structural relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes
DNA history, components, function slides
Nucleotide cha-cha
Vocabulary/Reading
2 Vocabulary/Reading
Pre-Activity: Chutes and Ladders—background questions
Activity: Chutes and Ladders
DNA replication
W’s of replication slides
Vocabulary/Reading
4 Vocabulary/Reading
Pre-Activity: Replication Rock, Paper,
Scissors—background questions
Activity: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Vocab: 6 Words
Slides
Vocab: 6 Words
5 DNA transcription
W’s of transcription slides
Reading the AA Table
Vocabulary/Reading
6 Vocabulary/Reading
Pre-Activity: Transcription Jeopardy—background questions
Activity: Transcription Jeopardy
7 DNA translation to proteins
W’s of translation and proteins, ER, Golgi
Vocabulary/Reading
Worksheet-Genetic Code
Slides
Vocab: 6 Words
8 Vocabulary/Reading
Pre-Activity: Translation Penny Toss—background questions
Activity: Translation Penny Toss
Lab—The Stellar Thread
9 Vocabulary/Reading
Vocab: 6 Words

Genetic mutations and phenotypic expression
W’s of mistakes in copying, translation slides
Random Acts of Mutation activity
Lab—Mutations
Exploring: Animation websites
10 Unified theory of protein synthesis-Putting it all together
USA Test Prep
Pre-lab: Protein Synthesis Model—background questions
Lab—Protein Synthesis Model--CHNOPS
11 Test sometime, probably Day 3 of the next unit.
Slides
DUE: Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Animation resources: You may also locate these on the server in my distribution box under Nucleic
Acids http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_ place/labbench/index.html http://www.wwnorton.com/college/biology/discover bio4/_core/ch/08/animations.aspx http://www.bozemanscience.com/
Interactive site http://www.dnai.org/
DUE: Protein
Synthesis CHNOPS
Lab, Slides


You must have at least 4 categories of words. (HINT: The category relates to where a reaction occurs, or what is produced.)

Fold a piece of paper into four squares. This is your game board.

Write the category in the upper right-hand corner of each square on the board.
 Each category of words is on a different color of paper (I’ll distribute paper).

The definition on one side, the word on the other.

DNA Chutes and Ladders Questions
Name ______________________
1.
Name three scientists responsible for discovering the structure of DNA.
2.
What are the three components of a nucleotide?
3.
What two components of a nucleotide never change?
4.
What component of a nucleotide changes?
5.
What are the four DNA bases and how do they pair?
6.
Wilkins and Franklin are known for…
7.
Watson and Crick are known for…
8.
Explain the significance of the physical structure of each DNA base.
9.
How can every living thing share the same four bases in their DNA and still have so much variety?
10.
What is the result of a single error in DNA bases?

REPLICATION ROCK/PAPER/SCISSORS QUESTIONS
Name _____________________
1.
What is the process called whereby a new copy of DNA is made?
2.
What is the reason that DNA makes a copy of itself?
3.
The ending, ‘ase’ refers to any molecule (usually an enzyme) that breaks bonds.
What do you think DNA helicase does?
4.
The resulting DNA strand from replication is an exact ___ of the original strand.
5.
An important function of DNA polymerase is to check the new strand for ____.
6.
What kind of bonds are formed between the bases?
7.
A gene is a series of bases that code for a single ______?
8.
What are replication forks?
9.
Explain what a complementary base pair is. Give an example.
10.
A virus that invades bacteria and makes the bacteria produce more viruses are called…

TRANSCRIPTION JEOPARDY GAME QUESTIONS
NAME _______________________
1.
The process of transcription copies the DNA code onto…
2.
Three differences between DNA and mRNA are…
3.
Thymine in DNA is replaced by ___ in mRNA.
4.
DNA is found ONLY in the nucleus, but mRNA is made in the nucleus and then goes to the…
5.
In the first step of transcription, DNA unwinds, the Hydrogen bonds between bases break and the DNA separates. Then…
6.
What are the base pairings in mRNA?
7.
RNA polymerase does what in transcription?
8.
Explain how a template works in transcription.
9.
How are prokaryotes different from eukaryotes during transcription?
10.
What is the function of mRNA?

Penny Toss Translation
Name_________________
1.
A codon is to mRNA as a ______ is to tRNA.
2.
Ribosomes function as an ________________________ for proteins.
3.
The role of the ER is to _________________________________.
4.
Golgi apparatus functions in _________________, __________________,
_____________________, and ________________different proteins.
5.
The ‘essential’ building blocks of proteins are ___________________, and come from the _____________that you eat.
6.
______________help to form peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids.
7.
After the long chain of aa’s are formed, the chain ____________________ and
____________________which will determine its function.
8.
The genetic code for making proteins is described as being nearly ___________ as all living things use the same series of ___________ in groups of three known as a ____________.
9.
In order for a ribosome to begin making a protein, ___________must be present in the codon.
10.
In order for a ribosome to stop making a protein, a ‘stop’ codon is needed. What disease may occur if there is a missing stop?

Introduction Name_____________________________
Genes determine inherited characteristics, such as hair color and blood types. Genes are composed of short segments of DNA, which “code” for the synthesis of specific
_______________. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of
_______________ __________ in a protein, and thus the structure of a protein.
In the process of transcription , which takes place in the _______________ of a cell, messenger RNA (mRNA) reads and copies the DNA’s nucleotide sequences in the form of a complementary RNA molecule. Then the mRNA carries this information to the
_______________ of a cell, where protein synthesis takes place. The code, in DNA or mRNA, specifies the order in which the amino acids are joined together to form a protein.
However, the mRNA is NOT directly recognized by amino acids. Another type of RNA called transfer RNA, or _______________, brings the mRNA and amino acids together at the ribosome (rRNA). As the code carried by the mRNA is “read” or “translated” at a ribosome, the proper tRNAs arrive and add the _______________ __________ they carry to the growing polypeptide chain. This process is called translation .
In this assignment, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and determine the traits inherited by fictitious organisms called CHNOPS! The cells of a CHNOPS organism only contain one chromosome with seven genes (Gene A through Gene G), each of which is responsible for a certain trait.
Procedure
On the next page you will see the complete DNA sequence for a certain CHNOPS individual. There are six specific genes found within this individual’s genome. Please do the following for each gene found on the CHNOPS’s chromosome.
1.
Transcribe the information into the correct mRNA sequence. When given a complete DNA sequence, the specific strand that is transcribed is the strand that is said to run in the 3’ to 5’ direction. Make sure you know which strand on the DNA sequence – top or bottom – is the strand that runs in this direction! Write the correct mRNA sequence in the appropriate box.
2.
Translate this mRNA sequence into the appropriate amino acid (AA) sequence using the mRNA genetic code. Use the following irregular abbreviations for the four selected amino acids below. Write this information in the appropriate box.
Asparagine (asn) Glutamine (gln) Isoleucine (ile)
Tryptophan (trp)
3.
Using Data Table 1, identify what trait the CHNOPS organism has based upon the amino acid sequence. Fill in this information in the correct box.

Activity Analysis
1.
Draw your CHNOPS organism, complete with the 7 traits that you discovered are coded for in his/her genes.
2.
You are a molecular biologist and have discovered a new protein in the
CHNOPS organism. You are able to analyze the protein and determine the amino acid sequence. Then what would you have to do to determine the particular DNA sequence that coded for this protein?
3.
Complete the following table in your lab notebook to show how the processes of translation and transcription differ.
Transcription Translation
Location in cell?
Molecules involved?
Products?
4.
Create TWO NEW additional traits for your CHNOPS. Make sure that your amino acids, RNAs and DNA have not already been described as different amino acids/traits in the tables on the other page! For each trait… a.
What is the new trait? (i.e. eye color, height, etc…) b.
Create an amino acid sequence with at least four amino acids that would make up this protein. c.
What is the mRNA sequence? d.
What is the DNA sequence?

NAME __________________________________
Mutations Worksheet
( staff.fcps.net/einman/biology/MutationsWS.doc
)
Deletion, Insertion & Substitution
There are several types of mutation:
 DELETION (a base is lost/deleted)
 INSERTION (an extra base is added/inserted)
--- Deletion & insertion may cause what’s called a FRAMESHIFT mutation, meaning the reading “ frame " changes, thus changing the amino acid sequence from this point forward
 SUBSTITUTION (one base is substituted for another)
--- If a substitution changes the amino acid, it’s called a MISSENSE mutation
--- If a substitution does not change the amino acid, it’s called a SILENT mutation
--- If a substitution changes the amino acid to a “ stop ,” it’s called a
NONSENSE mutation
Complete the boxes below. Classify each as Deletion, Insertion or Substitution
AND as either
frameshift, missense, silent or nonsense ( Hint : Deletion & Insertion will always be frameshift).
Original DNA Sequence : T A C A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T … mRNA Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Mutated DNA Sequence #1 T A C A T C T T G G C G A C G A C T …
What’s the mRNA sequence?
What will be the amino acid sequence?
Will there likely be effects?
What type of mutation is this? ________________________________
Mutated DNA Sequence #2 T A C G A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T …
What’s the mRNA sequence?
What will be the amino acid sequence?
Will there likely be effects?
What type of mutation is this? ________________________________ he change ) change )

Mutated DNA Sequence #3 T A C A C C T T A G C G A C G A C T …
What’s the mRNA sequence?
What will be the amino acid sequence?
Will there likely be effects?
What type of mutation is this? ________________________________
Mutated DNA Sequence #4 T A C A C C T T G G C G A C T A C T …
What’s the mRNA sequence?
What will be the amino acid sequence ?
Will there likely be effects?
What type of mutation is this? _________________________________
Original DNA Sequence : T A C A C C T T G G C G A C G A C T … mRNA Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Mutated DNA Sequence #5 T A C A C C T T G G G A C G A C T …
What’s the mRNA sequence?
What will be the amino acid sequence?
Will there likely be effects?
What type of mutation is this? _________________________________
1.
Which type of mutation is responsible for new variations of a trait?
2.
Which type of mutation does not result in an abnormal amino acid sequence?
3.
Which type of mutation stops the translation of an mRNA molecule? change ) change ) change )

Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is the result of a type of mutation in the gene that codes for part of the hemoglobin molecule. Recall that hemoglobin carries oxygen in your red
bloods cells. The mutation causes these red blood cells to become stiff & sickleshaped when they release their oxygen. The sickled cells tend to get stuck in blood vessels, causing pain and increased risk of stroke, blindness, damage to the heart & lungs, and other conditions.
--- Analyze the DNA strands below to determine what amino acid is changed AND what type of mutation occurred
Normal hemoglobin DNA
Normal hemoglobin mRNA
Normal hemoglobin AA sequence
C A C G T A G A C T G A G G A C T C …
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sickle cell hemoglobin DNA C A C G T A G A C T G A G G A C A C …
Sickle cell hemoglobin mRNA
Sickle cell hemoglobin AA sequence
4.
What type of mutation is this? Please explain why.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10
DNA, RNA and Protein Synthesis Do Now Answers
9
8
________Score Name____________________________
4
Day Rephrase the question in complete sentences. Use punctuation.
2