Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________ Period:______________
Super Powers, Secret Identities, and DNA
Learning Target: I will be able to illustrate how genes make proteins
Background:
Part 1: You were just an ordinary student until today. Your DNA is getting changed, and you will select the 2
powers that your DNA will now be able to create. Unfortunately, the powers are only given in the form of
amino acid chains. You will need to work backwards to create your new DNA strand.
Part 2: You will write your new DNA and create an assumed secret identity for your superhero on the bottom of
the paper. After cutting out the secret identity and the DNA, Mrs. Dignan will mix up the DNA sequences and
hand them out randomly. You will need to figure out which hero belongs to the secret identity that you were
given.
Superhero Name:_______________________________________
Super Hero Powers (pick 2 from the back):
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
Amino Acids (for each superpower):
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
mRNA (codons, based on each amino acid)
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
tRNA (anti-codons, based on the mRNA)
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
DNA (based on the mRNA)
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Secret Identity (ex. Superman goes by Clark Kent. Don’t be too obvious though):________________________
DNA Sequence (same as above): _______________________________________________________________
Use the chart below to identify the Amino Acid Sequence for both of your chosen super powers:
Powers
Flying
X-Ray Vision
Super Strength
Genius
Never Sleep
Transform into animals
Read Minds
Telepathy (communicating without
speaking)
Teleportation (transporting anywhere
immediately)
Super Speed
Amino Acid Sequence
Met- Gly- Ala- Ser- Stop
Met- Thr- Asp- Lys- Stop
Met- Tyr- Pro- Leu- Stop
Met- Iso- Glu- Cys- Stop
Met- Arg- Asp- His- Stop
Met- Glu- Gly- Lys- Stop
Met- Thr- Pro- Asp- Stop
Met- Phe- Tyr- Arg- Stop
Met- Thr- Lys- Try- Stop
Met- Glu- Ser- Asp- Stop
Codon Chart – use the chart below to translate amino acids into mRNA codons: