Bio H – Molecular genetics
Virtual Replication, Transcription and Translation
Directions: The websites are here to help you but you are expected to apply the information we discussed
from class as well. If we’ve discussed more detailed info that the website provides, you should answer
with the details we’ve discussed.
Go to “Interactive DNA, RNA and Protein page” on the resources page of our website
Part I: Click on Tour of Basic Genetics –
- Click on “What is DNA?”
1. When we say that DNA contains information what specific information are we talking about?
2. What are the “words” and the “sentences” of the DNA really called?
- Scroll up and go back to “Molecules of inheritance.” Then click on “What is a gene?”
3. Each gene contains the information to make a single _________________.
4. What happens if there is a mistake in the information?
5. What is this mistake called? Provide a specific example of a gene with a “mistake” and the disease that
it causes.
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Go back to “molecules of inheritance” and click on “Build a DNA Molecule”
6. Build a DNA molecule that is 10 nucleotide pairs long and write the double stranded sequence below.
7. What type of bonds are holding the backbone of the molecule together?
8. What type of bond is forming between bases?
Bio H – Molecular genetics
9. How long does it take to copy all of the nucleotides in a single cell? What does the cell do to increase
the speed of this process?
10. Consider these items: egg cell, virus, mitochondria, sperm cell, human chromosome, nucleotide,
ribosome, bacterial cell, phospholipid, red blood cell.
a. First use what you know about these things ONLY to rank them in order of estimated size from
smallest to largest. Don’t go looking up actual sizes.
b. Now click on “See the size of a nucleotide….” Underneath the image of the replication bubble. Use
the slider to zoom paying attention to what becomes visible as you zoom.
c. You don’t need to correct part a, but discuss any objects that surprised you in terms of their relative
size.
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Go back to “Home” and “Molecules of inheritance” and click on “Transcribe and translate a gene”
a. Transcribe your gene and write the sequence of the RNA below:
b. Where AND when does transcription occur?
c. At which codon does the cell begin translating the mRNA?
d. Use the codon chart to translate your mRNA and write the sequence of amino acids down below.
e. Where and when does this process occur?
f. How does the cell know when it has finished the protein?
Bio H – Molecular genetics
Go back to “molecules of inheritance” and click on “What makes a firefly glow?”
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Summarize, briefly, the steps required to get from HAVING a the gene to actually glowing
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What has to happen after translation in order for our protein to be functional?
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What type of reaction (endothermic, exothermic) is the reaction that makes fireflies glow? Explain.
Translation:
- Go back to our website and click on “Translation animation III – Stolaf”
1. What is the molecule that you are looking at on the screen? Provide two pieces of evidence that support
your answer.
2. Click through the first three steps and observe what is happening. Pay attention to the labels so you
know what each shape is representing.
3. Describe the tRNA. What is it made of? What is it doing? What relationships do you notice?
4. How does the ribosome know where to start?
5. How many tRNA’s fit within a ribosome at one time?
Bio H – Molecular genetics
6. Click through and list the steps of translation below:
7. What determines which tRNA will come in next? What determines which amino acid will be attached
to that tRNA?
8. How does the ribosome know when the protein is done?
9.
Go to the John Kyrk Translation animation on our page. This gives a little more accurate view, (no big
solid cartoon blobs). Describe the structure of the tRNA from this animation.
Bio H – Molecular genetics
Fill in the chart below:
Process
Where in the
cell does it
happen?
Replication
Transcription
Translation
What molecule
is used as a
template (or
model)?
What type of
molecule is
made?
What enzymes
are involved?
When would
this process
need to
happen?