Name:____________________________________________________ Date:____________________
From DNA to RNA to Protein (The Boss – The Minion – The Factory)
Objective: I can model the processes of Transcription and Translation.
In this activity, you will use pushpins to represent the 18 nitrogenous bases of a DNA sequence. You will
be modeling the process of transcription and translation.
Each group of 4 needs:
54 pushpins (in assorted colors)
Strips of cardboard
Marker
Scissors
Ruler
Tape
Chalk/String
Directions:
1. Select 18 pushpins to represent the nitrogenous bases of the DNA sequence that follows in colors that
correspond to the key below:
Blue = Adenine
Light Purple = Guanine
Green = Thymine
Dark Purple = Cytosine
Clear = Uracil
The following is a sequence of a portion of a DNA molecule:
DNA
T A C C A C G T G G A C T G A G G A
mRNA
tRNA
2. Draw a circle or use string to represent the nucleus and another to represent ribosome on your desks in
chalk/string.
3. Arrange the pushpins vertically according to the above sequence on the first strip of cardboard (2 large
pieces of cardboard – 9 pins on each piece). This is your strand.
4. Place a row of 6 cardboard strips next to your strand of DNA. Use this strand as the code to make a
complementary mRNA strand. Obtain 18 more pushpins in the appropriate colors and place thin in order
along the strip.
5. Model what happens after the mRNA has copied the DNA (where does the mRNA go?)
6. Use 6 pre-cut cardboard pieces. These pieces represent tRNA. Place the appropriate pushpins into the 6
sections to make anticodons based on the codons on mRNA.
7. Use the genetic code table from the Gizmo (an mRNA table) to determine the amino acids for each of
the six mRNA codons. Using a marker and tape, write the name of each amino acid on the six paper strips
(Note: do NOT write directly on the cardboard – use tape)
8. As the tRNA and mRNA pass through the ribosome, join the amino acids together with tape.
9. Take a picture of your completed lab. Clean up and answer the analysis questions.
Analysis Questions
1. Write the list of amino acids, in the proper order, that made your polypeptide chain (protein).
2. What is the name of the process represented in step 4?
3. Why does the process use mRNA and not have the DNA code directly for the protein?
4. What is the name of the process represented in step 8?
5. The DNA and RNA strands are incomplete in this activity, what is missing from the DNA and RNA
strands?
6. Explain in your own words how information in DNA codes for a protein.