TRANSCRIPTION
BELLWORK- 3 MINUTES!
(WORK QUICKLY)
1.
Draw a picture of each of the 3 kinds of RNA
2.
Describe the function of each type of RNA
3.
Give at least 2 reasons why making proteins
is such an important process
4.
When you are finished, write down as many
things as you can remember about the
similarities & differences between DNA &
RNA
SO HOW DOES RNA MAKE PROTEINS???
DNA
RNA’s
function
is to
make
proteins!
DNA stores
information
to run cell
RNA
Protein
Proteins
actually
DO the
work in
the cell
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
 Protein
synthesis is the process of
making proteins.
 It
happens in 2 parts:
 Transcription
 Translation
FILL IN THE TABLE FOR TRANSCRIPTION
Name of Part:
Definition:
Transcription
Transcription is the
process of making
an mRNA copy of
the DNA
instructions (recipe
for a protein).
Occurs in the
nucleus.
Where it happens:
TRANSCRIPTION VIDEO CLIP

http://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/Transcription
Basic_withFX.html (1:52)
STEP1: SIGNAL
The cell receives a
signal to make a
specific protein.
EXAMPLE

After drinking milk, your cells receive a signal to
begin making more LACTASE- the enzyme that
breaks down lactose (milk sugar)
What other
example can
you think of
that would
signal cells to
make a
protein?
STEP 2 : PROMOTER
RNA polymerase binds to the promoter
sequence on DNA (usually “TATA”).
PRACTICE

#1- Find & circle the promoter (TATA) in each gene

GACCTATAGTCTAG
CTATAATGCTACACTGAGCTGCG

CAGGATATCAGATC
GATATTACGATGTGACTCGACGC

GTCGAACGTATACGGGTGCATGATCCT
GTATCGATCGAAATATCGATCGTTA

CAGCTTGCATATGCCCACGTACTAGGA
CATAGCTAGCTTTATAGCTAGCAAT

What
kind of molecule is RNA
polymerase (hint- look at the ending of
the word)?
STEP 3: MRNA MESSAGE
RNA polymerase reads the DNA & makes an
mRNA complement of the gene
PRACTICE

#1- Find & circle the promoter (TATA) in each gene

GACCTATAGTCTAG
CTATAATGCTACACTGAGCTGCG

CAGGATATCAGATC
GATATTACGATGTGACTCGACGC

GTCGAACGTATACGGGTGCATGATCCT
GTATCGATCGAAATATCGATCGTTA

CAGCTTGCATATGCCCACGTACTAGGA
CATAGCTAGCTTTATAGCTAGCAAT



#2- Underline the sequence that will be read by RNA
Polymerase
Try #3 on your transcription worksheet
G C C T G A C A C G T C A T C C C G A G T A A A
C
G _
A _
C _
U _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ G
_ _
PRACTICE- PUT STEPS 1-3 TOGETHER
#4 Circle the promoter, underline the
sequence to be made into mRNA, make the
complementary mRNA underneath

T G C A T A T G G G A T G T G C T G A T C G A T T G A G T G A

A C G T A T A C C C T A C A C G A C T A G C T A A C T C A C T
mRNA:
G G G A U G U G C T G A U C G A U U G A G U G A
#5 Draw vertical lines on the mRNA strand
above to show separate codons
STEP 4 : MRNA SPLICING (CUTTING)
 Segments
called introns are removed (not part of
the recipe)
 Segments called exons are kept (final recipe)
TAKE YOUR HANDOUT

Fold it correctly to reveal the hidden picture!
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR

How did the Harry Potter fold-in model the process
of mRNA splicing? Explain introns vs exons.
PRACTICE
Circle the promoter, underline the sequence to be made into
mRNA, make the complementary mRNA underneath

T G C A T A T G G G A T G T G C T G A T C G A T T G A G T G A

A C G T A T A C C C T A C A C G A C T A G C T A A C T C A C T
mRNA:
G G G A U G U G C T G A U C G A U U G A G U G A
Boxed-in parts = introns
Remove introns: G G G A U G U G C T G A
Mature mRNA:
A U U
G G G A U G U G C T G A A U U U G A
U G A
STEP 5 : MRNA LEAVES NUCLEUS
The mature mRNA moves out of
the nucleus
TRANSCRIPTION VIDEO CLIP- ONE MORE TIME

http://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/Transcription
Basic_withFX.html
TRANSCRIPTION SUMMARY- SUMMARIZE
TRANSCRIPTION TO YOUR NEIGHBOR
TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVITY
1.
You and your partner will receive a “signal” in the cytoplasm (lab
table) to begin transcription of a specific protein
2.
Go into the nucleus (desk-side) & find the appropriate gene on the
DNA molecule to transcribe mRNA from
3.
Record the mRNA on your worksheet
4.
Splice the mRNA according to instructions
5.
Take your mature mRNA out of the nucleus & into the cytoplasm
to (double check it with the answer key at your lab table)
6.
Move to the next lab table to get a new signal & repeat
**Must finish transcribing at least 2 genes. Then you may
begin the HW (on back of class practice sheet)
CLOSURE- ON NOTETAKER
Write a note to a student who was absent explaining
what they need to know about transcription.
**If you finish early, begin the HW problems
BELLWORK1.
What part of the word “transcription” will
help you remember that it is about making a
message/mRNA?
2.
Give a snapshot of transcription by
summarizing it in 20-25 words.
TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVITY (20-30 MINS)
1.
You and your partner will receive a “signal” in the cytoplasm (lab table) to
begin transcription of a specific protein
2.
Go into the nucleus (desk-side) & find the appropriate gene on the DNA
molecule to transcribe mRNA from
3.
Record the mRNA on your worksheet
4.
Splice the mRNA according to instructions
5.
Take your mature mRNA out of the nucleus & into the cytoplasm to
(double check it with the answer key at your lab table)
6.
Move to the next lab table to get a new signal & repeat
**Bio 1-2: Must transcribe at least 5 genes total. Ex. credit for each
additional gene.
**PreAP: Must transcribe all 8 genes
PREAP – WHAT TO DO UNTIL QUIZ
1.
2.
3.
Check HW with answer key (no late HW accepted)
Organize notebook & unit divider
Use RNA review sheet to prepare
IF YOU FINISH EARLY….
Bio 1-2:
1. Start the back of the pink practice sheet (the HW
side) – good practice for transcription quiz @ end
of class today!
2. Review your transcription notes- quiz @ end of
class
PreAP:
1. Quiz your partner on the RNA Notetaker &
Protein Synthesis Notetaker to review for
transcription quiz
TRANSCRIPTION VIDEO CLIP- ONE MORE TIME
WITH THE SOUND OFF- NARRATE TO YOUR NEIGHBOR

http://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/Transcription
Basic_withFX.html
CLOSURE- ON NOTETAKER
Write a note to a student who was absent explaining
what they need to know about transcription.
**If you finish early, begin the HW problems (Bio 1-2)
TRANSLATION
BELLWORK
1.
Look at your transcription simulation (blue) from
yesterday…what 3 letter codon tends to appear near the
beginning of every mature mRNA?
2.
Give a possible function of this codon based on its
appearance near the beginning of mRNA strands.
3.
Summarize each of the 5 steps of transcription
4.
Make an mRNA copy from the DNA gene:
GCATATGCAATGATAGATTGA
CGTATACGTTACTATCTAACT
5.
How did you know whether the gene was on the top or
bottom strand?
6.
Create a memorization strategy for how to remember the
difference between introns & exons.
BELLWORK
1.
Summarize each of the 5 steps of transcription
2.
Make an mRNA copy from the DNA gene:
GCATATGCAATGATAGATTGA
CGTATACGTTACTATCTAACT
3. How did you know whether the gene was on the
top or bottom strand?
4. Create a memorization strategy
for how to remember the difference
between introns & exons.
WHAT CODON ALWAYS SHOWS UP NEAR
THE BEGINNING?
Mature mRNA for lactase enzyme:
 GCG
AUG CUG GGU CGU UAA

Mature mRNA for Myosin protein:
 AUG
CGC CGU UUG UGA

Mature mRNA for hemoglobin A protein:
 GGC
AUG CGA UAC CUC UAA

Mature mRNA for ATP Synthase enzyme:
 GAU
CUG AUG CCU AAC UGC AUC

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
 Protein
synthesis is the process of
making proteins.
 It
happens in 2 parts:
 Transcription
 Translation
FILL IN THE TABLE FOR TRANSLATION
Name of Part:
Definition:
Translation
Translation is the
process of making
an amino acid chain
from the
instructions coded
in the mRNA.
Occurs in
cytoplasm.
Where it happens:
TRANSLATION VIDEO CLIP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_Ne5mS2ls
(start @ 1:56)
STEP
1 : INITIATION
mRNA binds to the ribosome & the ribosome begins
reading @ START codon (AUG)
PRACTICE
GCG
AUG
CUG
GGU
CGU
UAA
Which codon above is the START codon?
On your worksheet, find the START codon in each
of the 8 mature mRNA strands
GCG AUG CUG GGU CGU UAA
AUG GGU AGC AUC GAU UCU GAU UAA
AUG CGA UUC GAC UGG GAC CCA UAU UAG
AUG CGC CGU UUG UGA
GAU CUG
AUG CAU AGA UCA GUC CCG UGA
AUG CCU AAC UGC AUC
UAG GCA
AUG GAC CGA GUU AGC UGA GAU CUG
GGC AUG CGA UAC CUC UAA CGA
STEP
2: TRNA MATCHING
The ribosome matches each codon with a tRNA that has
the complementary anti-codon
tRNA w. amino
acid @ top (Met)
& anticodon on
bottom (UAC)
PRACTICE
What is the anticodon on
tRNA that will match with
the START codon on mRNA?
AUG CCG GCA UGC GGA CUG
On your worksheet, fill out the tRNA anticodons for each codon in
the mature mRNA strand
STEP
3: ELONGATION
Each tRNA that enters the ribosome adds an
amino acid. A peptide (protein) bond attaches
new amino acids to the growing chain.
FYI
There are 20 amino acids
 Each tRNA can only carry ONE type of amino
acid

tRNA w/ anticodon
“UAC” can ONLY
carry methionine (M)
STEP
4: TERMINATION
When an mRNA STOP codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA)
enters the ribosome, the ribosome subunits break
apart and translation ends
PRACTICE
How many amino acids are coded for in the mature mRNA
strand below? (hint: think about start & stop codons)
Start
:
1
GAU
CUG
2
AUG CCU
3
4
AAC UGC
5
AUC
STOP
(no
amino
acid)
UAG
GCA
On your worksheet circle the START codon, Box the STOP
codon, and record how many amino acids will be in the
chain after translating each of the 8 mRNA strands.
AUG CGA AUG GAC UGG GAC CCA UAU UAG
Start at the FIRST one and keep
going until you hit a STOP!
What if there
are 2 “start”
codons??
ANSWER KEY
# amino acids= 4
# amino acids= 8
# amino acids= 5
# amino acids= 4
TRANSLATION SIMULATION (? MINS LEFT)




You and your partner will receive mature mRNA
transcripts
Pull the mRNA through the ribosome, & match up the
correct tRNA
Record the amino acids that would be added to the
growing chain
Figure out the secret phrase!
BELLWORK
1.
Summarize the 4 steps of translation
2.
What are the stop codons?
3.
Describe the difference between tRNA and
rRNA.
4.
How should you organize the tRNAs out at the
lab table?
5.
Review your notes (quiz today)
TRANSLATION SIMULATION (? MINS LEFT)




You and your partner will receive mature mRNA
transcripts
Pull the mRNA through the ribosome, & match up the
correct tRNA
Record the amino acids that would be added to the growing
chain
Figure out the secret phrase!
**When finished…
Work on the RNA Review sheet (in front if
you don’t have it yet)
SHORT-CUT
mRNA Codon Wheel
AUG =
Methionine
(M)
Determine an
amino acid
sequence from
the mature
mRNA…without
having to match
up tRNA
anticodons!
TRY IT OUT!
Mature mRNA:
Amino Acids:
Complete the
amino acid
sequences on your
worksheet using
the codon wheel
AUG
M
_
GAC
D
_
CGA
R
_
GUU
V
_
AGC
S
_
UGA
stop
_
GAU
_
CUG
_
ANSWER KEY
M D R V S
(5 total)
M G S I D S D
M H R S V P
M R Y L
(7 total)
(6 total)
(4 total)
CLOSURE- ON NOTETAKER
VENN DIAGRAM: COMPARE & CONTRAST
TRANSCRIPTION & TRANSLATION
RACE SECRET MESSAGES CHALLENGE

Who can get the most total messages?

Who can get the most bottom strand messages?

Who can do all of the longest messages?
IF TIME….

Begin working on your translation HW
CLOSURE (ON NOTETAKER)


Each tRNA can only carry ONE amino acid (UAC
always carries Methionine)….are there some amino
acids that are carried by multiple tRNAs?
Why might this overlap be beneficial?
BELLWORK- HAVE SLATE & MARKER ON DESK
1. Summarize the 4 steps of translation
2. Translate this mRNA into an amino acid sequence
(use the codon wheel on your sheet from yesterday):
AUG GCC GAU UGC GCA ACU UGA UCC
3. Create a memory strategy to help you remember the
difference between transcription and translation
WHERE WOULD YOU LABEL TRANSCRIPTION &
TRANSLATION?
DNA
RNA
Protein
RNA SLATE REVIEW (10 MINS MAX)
TURN TO YOUR NEIGHBOR

Summarize the 3 types of RNA and how each is
related to protein synthesis
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Amino Acids
are the small
subunits of
___________
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Made with
Uracil (U)
instead of T:
___________
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
The central dogma of
biology says that
______  RNA 
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Transports
amino acids to
the ribosome:
___________
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Reads mRNA
and assembles
amino acids
into a chain:
Protein
PRACTICE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Which of the following am I showing/describing?
DNA
mRNA
rRNA
tRNA
Protein
A copy of the
information in DNA
that can be taken
out of the nucleus:
___________
CODON WHEEL


Which type of RNA has
the CODONS?
Do you need to figure out
the anticodon to use a
CODON wheel? Explain.