DNA-RNA-Protein Synthesis
Purpose: To model replication, transcription, and translation.
Materials:
4 blue tubes (cytosine)
4 yellow tubes (guanine)
5 green tubes (thymine)
5 orange tubes (adenine)
20 white tubes (phosphates)
9 white rods (hydrogen bonds)
18 black pentagons (deoxyribose sugar)
5 lavender tubes (uracil)
9 purple pentagons (ribose sugar)
1 large purple ribosome
3 grey tubes (peptide bonds)
3 blue three pronged pieces (tRNA) 3 black three pronged piece (amino acids)
Procedure:
Designate roles within your group. There should be at least one builder (probably two), an artist, a
recorder, and a demolisher (disassembly). The demolisher and builder may have two jobs.
Decide as a group how to build a model of DNA. The artist should draw it for the group and label
each base subunit (nitrogen base) according to the model. The recorder should write down the
process (pair, unzip…) what’s on the sides, in the middle, and attaching the two strands. The
builder/demolisher should do the construction. Your DNA model should have 9 rungs of the ladder
and should appropriately represent the base pairing rules (refer to our DNA song). Double check to
be sure that you put the nucleotides together correctly.
Divide your workspace into two areas representing the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the cell. From
this point on, do work only in the appropriate areas. Discuss with your group where the supplies
(parts) you will need should be located in the cell. Have the artist draw it and the recorder write it
down.
Discuss as a group the process of transcription. Model, draw, and record the process. Remember to
include where it occurs and label all components of your diagram.
Discuss the process of translation. Model, draw, and record the process. Remember to include where
it occurs. Note the codon, anticodon involved in the process, and what amino acids you created (use
your table or book to find the names).
WHEN THIS LAB IS COMPLETE YOU SHOULD HAVE INDIVIDUAL ANSWERS TO THE ANALYSIS AND
TWO GROUP PIECES OF PAPER. Each paper should have three sections, one for DNA construction,
one for transcription, and one for translation. Paper #1 is from the artist and Paper #2 is from the
recorder. Staple all group work together.
Name _____________________________
Period _________
DNA-RNA-Protein Synthesis Analysis
1. Compare and contrast DNA and RNA. You may use a ven diagram, chart, table, or drawing.
2. What is produced in replication?
3. What is produced in transcription?
4. What is produced in translations?
5. Where do free amino acids in the cytoplasm come from?
6. List by order of size the following: gene, cell, chromosome, atom, atomic nucleus, cellular
nucleus, base subunit, nucleotide.
7. Does the entire DNA get transcipted and translated every time? Why or why not?
9. During what part of the cell cycle do these processes occur?
10. Where do hydrogen bonds occur? (between what parts)
11. Where do peptide bonds occur? (between what parts)
12. What type of bond is a peptide bond?
13. Which is stronger, a peptide bond or hydrogen bond? Describe each.