Lab #
Simulating Protein Synthesis
Date
I. Purpose: How can traits from a particular chromosome be determined?
CA Standard: (4b) Students know how to apply the genetic coding rules to predict the sequence of amino
acids from a sequence of codons in RNA.
Background: Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics such as hair color and blood
type. Genes are lengths of DNA molecules that determine the structure of polypeptides (building blocks of
proteins) that our cells make. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino
acids proteins. In this investigation, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and thereby
determine the traits inherited by fictitious organisms called CHNOPS. CHNOPS, whose cells contain only
one chromosome, are members of the kingdom Animalia. A CHNOPS chromosome is made up of six
genes (A, B, C, D, E and F) which are responsible for a certain trait.
II. Materials: blue and orange pencil
III. Procedure:
1. To determine the trait for Gene A of your CHNOPS, fill in the information in the box labeled Gene A
in your data table. Notice the sequence of nucleotides in DNA. On your line in the data table, write the
sequence of nucleotides of mRNA that are complementary to DNA.
2. In order to determine the sequence of amino acids match each mRNA triplet with the specific amino
acid in Figure 1. Use a – (hyphen) to separate each amino acid number. Record this information in the
appropriate place in your data table.
3. Using Figure 2 find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record this information in the
appropriate place in your data table.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the remaining genes (B-F)
5. Using all the inherited traits make a detailed sketch of your CHNOPS in your CALCULATIONS/RESULTS
section. (Remember to use at least ½ a page for your drawing.)
IV. Data/Observations:
(Don’t copy figure 1 or 2)
Figure 1
mRNA Triplet
ACC
AGC
CGA
AAC
CGC
GGG
AGG
AAA
UUU
GGU
UAU
CCC
AUC
CUA
GGA
Amino Acid Number
20
16
2
4
3
5
7
8
9
12
13
1
6
10
11
UCG
14
Figure 2
Amino Acid Sequence
20-11-13
20-12-13
16-12
16-5
16-2
12-7-8-1
5-7-8-1
9-8
9-4
11-3-2
11-3-11
6-6-10
6-6-14
Trait
hairless
hairy
two-legged
three-legged
four-legged
long nose
short nose
no freckles
freckles
blue skin
orange skin
male
female
(Copy this table)
Table 1a CHNOPS Data
DNA
Gene A
TGG CCA ATA
mRNA ______________________
DNA
Gene B
TCG
DNA
GCT
mRNA ________________________
Gene C
AAA
TTG
mRNA ___________________
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
DNA
__________________
Gene D
CCU
GCG GCT
mRNA ______________________
___________________
Gene E
Trait
_________________
Gene F
DNA CCC TCC TTT GGG
DNA
mRNA ________________________
mRNA ___________________
TAG
TAG GAT
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
__________________
___________________
Trait
_________________
V. Calculations/Results:
CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.
VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)
1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?
2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?
3. Explain transcription.
4. Explain translation.
5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?
6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and
ultimately the trait of an organism?
VII. Conclusion:
Answer the purpose
(Copy this table)
Table 1b CHNOPS Data
DNA
Gene A
TGG CCA ATA
mRNA ______________________
DNA
Gene B
DNA
TCG CCA
mRNA ________________________
Gene C
AAA
TTG
mRNA ___________________
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
DNA
__________________
Gene D
CCT
GCG CCT
mRNA ______________________
___________________
Gene E
Trait
_________________
Gene F
DNA CCA TCC TTT GGG
DNA
mRNA ________________________
mRNA ___________________
TAG
TAG GAT
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
__________________
___________________
Trait
_________________
V. Calculations/Results:
CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.
VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)
1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?
2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?
3. Explain transcription.
4. Explain translation.
5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?
6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and
ultimately the trait of an organism?
VII. Conclusion:
Answer the purpose
(Copy this table)
Table 1c CHNOPS Data
DNA
Gene A
TGG CCT ATA
mRNA ______________________
DNA
Gene B
TCG
DNA
GCT
mRNA ________________________
Gene C
AAA
TTT
mRNA ___________________
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
DNA
__________________
Gene D
CCU
GCG GCT
mRNA ______________________
___________________
Gene E
Trait
_________________
Gene F
DNA CCA TCC TTT GGG
DNA
mRNA ________________________
mRNA ___________________
TAG
TAG UCG
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
__________________
___________________
Trait
_________________
V. Calculations/Results:
CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.
VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)
1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?
2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?
3. Explain transcription.
4. Explain translation.
5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?
6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and
ultimately the trait of an organism?
VII. Conclusion:
Answer the purpose
(Copy this table)
Table 1d CHNOPS Data
DNA
Gene A
TGG CCT ATA
mRNA ______________________
DNA
Gene B
TCG
DNA
CCC
mRNA ________________________
Gene C
AAA
TTT
mRNA ___________________
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
DNA
__________________
Gene D
CCT
GCG CCT
mRNA ______________________
DNA
___________________
Gene E
CCC TCC TTT GGG
mRNA ________________________
Trait
DNA
_________________
Gene F
TAG
TAG UCG
mRNA ___________________
Amino acid
sequence __________________
Amino acid
Amino acid
sequence ___________________ sequence _________________
Trait
Trait
__________________
___________________
Trait
_________________
V. Calculations/Results:
CHNOPS drawing. Remember to use at least ½ a page.
VI. Questions: (Make sure to restate each question in a complete sentence.)
1. Where does transcription take place at in the cell?
2. Where does translation take place at in the cell?
3. Explain transcription.
4. Explain translation.
5. How many mRNA nucleotides form a codon?
6. How could one change in a DNA nucleotide change the formation of the translated protein and
ultimately the trait of an organism?
VII. Conclusion:
Answer the purpose