Name:_______________________________________________________________ Date ___________ Period ____
Monster Central Dogma
We looked at genetic crosses in our monsters in genetics. In this activity, you will use amino acid sequences for the traits
described below, and then see if your classmates can take your DNA through Central Dogma to make a monster with the
same traits.
PART 1
1. In the MY MONSTER’S GENOME table
below, fill in the “Your Monster’s Trait” column
for each trait.
2. For each trait, look up the amino acid sequence in
the AMINO ACID KEY and fill in the
“Polypeptide Amino Acid Sequence” column in the
table.
3. Determine which mRNA codons correspond to
each amino acid sequence using the GENETIC
CODE CHART to fill in the “Your Monster’s
mRNA” column.
o Ex: Amino Acid Sequence Met-Tyr-Pro-STOP
= mRNA sequence AUG-UAU-CCG-UGA.
4. Use the rules of complementary base-pairing to
determine the original DNA (gene) sequence based
on the mRNA codons to fill in the “Your
Monster’s DNA” column.
o Ex: mRNA sequence AUG-UAU-CCG-UGA =
DNA sequence TAC-ATA-GGC-ACT
5. Draw your monster with the correct traits in the
space to the right or on a separate sheet.
MY MONSTER’S GENOME
Your Monster’s
Trait
Trait
Polypeptide Amino Acid
Sequence
Your Monster’s mRNA
codons
Your Monster’s DNA
codons
# of Eyes
(1, 2, or 3)
Fur / Scales /
Fur & Scales
Fangs /
No Fangs
Wing Size
(large or small)
Straight Horns
/ Curly Horns
PART 2
1. For each trait you picked above, list the DNA sequence in the correct gene box in the MY MONSTER’S DNA
SEQUENCE on the other page.
2. Exchange this with a classmate, and write his/her name below. Then follow the directions on the other page.
o
I am exchanging monster’s with:_________________________________________
RUBRIC
Score
Monster’s
Genome
Partner
Central
Dogma
6
The Monster’s genome
correctly reflects the
chosen traits at the
Amino Acid, mRNA,
and DNA level
Based on the DNA
sequence you provided,
your partner was able
to correctly decode the
DNA to determine
your monster’s traits
Your
Drawing
Your drawing correctly
reflects the traits you
chose
Your
Partner’s
Drawing
of your
Monster
Your partner’s drawing
of your monster has the
exact same traits that
you chose for your
monster
4
The Monster’s genome
correctly reflects the
chosen traits at most
levels, but there are
mistakes in 1-2 genes
Based on the DNA
sequence you provided,
your partner was able to
take the DNA through
Central Dogma with 12 mistakes
Your drawing has 1
trait incorrect based
upon the traits you
chose
Your partner’s drawing
of your monster has the
similar traits that you
chose for your monster
with 1-2 mistakes
2
The Monster’s genome
correctly reflects the
chosen traits, but there
are mistakes in 3-4
genes
Based on the DNA
sequence you provided,
your partner was able to
take the DNA through
Central Dogma with 34 mistakes
Your drawing has 2
traits incorrect based
upon the traits you
chose
Your partner’s drawing
of your monster has the
similar traits that you
chose for your monster
with 3-4 mistakes
0
The Monster’s genome
has mistakes at some
level in 5 or more of
the genes
Based on the DNA
sequence you provided,
your partner was able to
take the DNA through
Central Dogma with 56 mistakes
Your drawing has 3 or
more traits incorrect
based upon the traits
you chose
Your partner’s drawing
of your monster has the
similar traits that you
chose for your monster
with 5-6 mistakes
Total
PART 3: POST-ACTIVITY QUESTIONS
1. Explain how this activity was Central Dogma in reverse. (1)
2. To which categories of organic macromolecules does DNA belong? _____________________________ (1)
3. To which categories of organic macromolecules does RNA belong? _____________________________ (1)
4. To which categories of organic macromolecules does a polypeptide belong? __________________________ (1)
5. Suggest a substitution mutation in the DNA that would cause the first amino acid in the “# of Eyes” gene to
change from alanine (Ala) to valine (Val). Write the original DNA codon, then the mutated DNA codon. (1)
6. There is a substitution mutation in the gene for Fangs in which the first DNA base changes from guanine to
thymine. How does this affect the polypeptide amino acid sequence? (1)
7. Explain why you and another student could have chosen the same traits with the same amino acid sequences but
arrived at different DNA sequences during Part 1. (1)
TOTAL SCORE: _______ / 31
PART 3: EXCHANGING MONSTERS
1. Based upon the DNA sequence you have been provided, make a complimentary mRNA strand in the appropriate
boxes.
2. Using the Amino Acid chart below, make the amino acid sequence that goes with your RNA codon sequence
3. Using the AMINO ACID KEY provided below, list the traits your partner’s monster has.
4. Draw a monster that shows these traits in the space at the bottom of the page.
AMINO ACID KEY
Trait
3 eyes
2 eyes
1 eye
Fur
Scales
Fur and Scales
Fangs
No Fangs
Big Wings
Small Wings
Straight Horns
Straight/Curly (1 loop)
Curly Horns (3 loops)
GENETIC CODE CHART (bases are in mRNA)
Amino Acid Sequence
Ala-Asp-Phe-Leu-Tyr-STOP
Ala-Asp-Arg-Leu-Tyr-STOP
Ala-Asp-Lys-Leu-Tyr-STOP
Pro-Thr-His-Ser-STOP
Pro-Thr-His-Val-STOP
Pro-Thr-His-Phe-STOP
Pro-Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Gly-STOP
Pro-Ser-Val-Leu-Arg-Gly-STOP
Thr-His-Ser-Ala-Asp -STOP
Thr-Cys-Ser- Ala-Asp -STOP
Arg-Tyr-Leu-Ser-Gly-STOP
His-Tyr-Leu-Ser-Gly -STOP
His-Arg-Tyr-Leu-Ser-Gly -STOP
MY MONSTER’S DNA SEQUENCE
Gene
Eye #
Fur/Scales
DNA
mRNA
Amino
Acids
Traits
Teeth
Wings
Horns