Simulating Protein Synthesis to create a CHNOPS!
Read the following to help you complete a successful CHNOPS organism.
Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics such as hair color as blood
type. Genes consist of DNA molecules that code for the proteins our cells make. The
sequence of nucleotides (and therefore the sequence of bases) in DNA determines the
sequence of amino acids in proteins.
During transcription, which takes place in the nucleus of the cell, messenger RNA
(mRNA) nucleotides read and copy the DNA sequence into a single RNA strand. mRNA can
leave the nucleus because it is single stranded. mRNA travels to the ribosome where proteins
are made. The codons in the mRNA strand will pair up with anticodons on the transfer RNA
(tRNA) molecules. Each tRNA has an amino acid. These amino acids are linked together in
the same order that their corresponding tRNAs match the mRNA. The process in which the
original DNA information (carried by the mRNA) is transferred into a protein is called
translation.
In this investigation you will simulate the process of transcription and translation to
create the proteins that will develop the characteristic traits of your CHNOPS. What is a
CHNOPS? It is in kingdom Animalia and contains only one chromosome. This
chromosome is made up of 6 genes (A, B, C, D, E, F). Each gene is responsible for a certain
characteristic of the organism. What does a CHNOPS look like? Well, that’s for you to show
us!
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, use the codon chart to determine your
amino acid sequence, record this is the Data Table.
3. Using the trait chart, find the trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record the
information in the data table.
4. Repeat the steps for the remaining genes.
5. Using all the inherited traits, draw a picture of your CHNOPS. You must color it, and it
should fill up the whole sheet of paper. All CHNOPS should contain school appropriate
distinguishing marks.
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
A
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, draw a picture to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC CAT TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT ATG
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: GGG AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT CTA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
B
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, draw a picture to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC CAT TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT AAA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT GTT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT AAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____
CHNOPS
C
Transcribe and translate the following DNA codes to find out what characteristics your CHNOPS has. Use
the charts provided to determine the amino acid sequence and the protein traits of your CHNOPS.
Once you have determined the traits of your CHNOPS, draw a picture to show the class what it looks like.
Then answer the questions on the back of this sheet.
Gene A
DNA: ACC GGA TAT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene B
DNA: TTG CGA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene C
DNA: TTT ATG
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Gene D
DNA: GGA GTT GTT
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene E
DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene F
DNA: TGT TGT CTA
mRNA _________________
Amino Acid Sequence
______________________
_________________________
______________________
Trait _________________
Trait _________________
Trait ________________
Analysis Questions:
1. What does the sequence of DNA represent?
2. What does that (answer from above) control about an organism? Give an example.
3. What is the base pairing rule of DNA to mRNA?
4. Why do you think this organism was called a “CHNOPS”
5. Distinguish between transcription and translation.
6. Where do transcription and translation occur in a cell?
Critical Thinking:
1. What are all the possible codons for the following amino acid sequence?
Methionine; Phenylalanine; Lysine; Tryptophan; Stop
2.
How would a single change in the DNA nucleotide base alter the formation of a protein – what are all
the possibilities that can happen?
Amino Acid Sequence
Tryptophane, Proline, Isoleucine,
Tryptophane, Valine, Isoleucine,
Asparagine, Alanine
Proline, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine
Valine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine
Lysine, Phenylalanine
Lysine, Tyrosine
Proline, Glutamine, Alanine
Proline, Glutamine, Glutamine
Threonine, Threonine, Aspartic Acid
Threonine, Threonine, Leucine
Trait
BLACK SPOTS
NO BLACK SPOTS
FOUR LEGS
LONG TAIL
NO TAIL
CURLY HAIR
STRAIGHT HAIR
RED SKIN
GREEN SKIN
WINGS
NO WINGS