Simulating Protein Synthesis
Pre-Lab Discussion
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 (the building blocks of proteins) that our cells
make. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in polypeptides, and thus the
structure of 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 made up of
six genes (A, B, C,D, E, and F), are members of the Kingdom Animalia. Each gene is responsible for a certain trait.
Materials
Blue Pencil; Orange Pencil
Procedure
1. To determine the trait for Gene A of your CHNOPS, fill in the information in the box labeled Gene A in
the Data Table. Notice the sequence of nucleotides in DNA. On the line provided, 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. Using a - (hyphen) to separate each amino acid number, record this information in the
appropriate place in the Data Table.
3. Using Figure 2, find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record this information in the
appropriate place in the data table.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the remaining genes (B through F).
5. Using all the inherited traits, sketch your CHNOPS in the space provided (use COLOR).
Figure 1
mRNA Triplet
UGG
UCG
GCU
UUG
GCG
CCC
UCC
UUU
AAA
CCA
AUA
GGG
UAG
AAC
GAU
CCU
GGA
UUC
Figure 2
Amino Acid Number
20
16
2
4
3
5
7
8
9
12
13
1
6
21
14
11
10
15
Amino Acid
Sequence
20-11-13
20-12-13
20-21-21
13-14-15
16-2
12-7-8-1
5-7-8-1
9-8
9-4
11-3-2
11-3-3
6-6-10
6-6-14
Trait
hairless
hairy
plump
skinny
four-legged
long nose
short nose
no freckles
freckles
blue skin
orange skin
male
female
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA:
ACC GGT TAT
A
Gene C
AGC CGA
DNA:
TTT AAC
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGA
DNA:
GGG AGG AAA CCC
DNA:
ATC ATC CTA
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA:
ACC GGA TAT
C
Gene C
TAT CTA
AAG
DNA:
TTT AAA
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGC
DNA:
GGG AGG AAA CCC
DNA:
ATC ATC CTA
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA: TAT CTA
ACC GGT TAT
D
Gene C
AAG
DNA:
TTT AAA
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGA
DNA:
GGT AGG AAA CCC
DNA:
ATC ATC CCT
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
E
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA:
ACC GGT TAT
Gene C
AGC CGA
DNA:
TAT CTA
AAG
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGC
DNA:
GGT AGG AAA CCC
DNA:
ATC ATC CTA
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA:
ACC GGA TAT
F
Gene C
ACC TTG TTG
DNA:
TTT AAC
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGA
DNA:
AGC CGA
DNA:
ATC ATC CCT
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________Period _______Date _________
CHNOPS WORKSHEET
Observations
Data Table
Gene A
Gene B
DNA:
DNA:
ACC TTG TTG
B
Gene C
AGC CGA
DNA:
TTT AAC
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Gene D
Gene E
Gene F
DNA:
GGA CGC CGC
DNA:
GGT AGG AAA CCC
DNA:
ATC ATC CCT
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
mRNA: __________________
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
Amino Acid Sequence:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Trait: __________________
Sketch here
Analysis & Conclusions
1. Explain what a gene is (HINT: see pre-lab discussion).
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. How many nucleotides form a single mRNA codon?
___________
3. In your own words, explain how DNA is read to create a
protein.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. What would happen in a sequence of DNA was read
backwards? Would the same protein be formed? Why or
why not?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________