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 Gene B Gene C

DNA: ACC CAT TAT DNA: TTG CGA DNA: TTT ATG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid Sequence

______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA: GGA GTT CGA DNA: GGG AGG AAA CCC DNA: TGTTGT CTA

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino 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 Gene B Gene C

DNA: ACC CAT TAT DNA: TTG CGA DNA: TTT AAA

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid Sequence

______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA: GGA GTTGTT DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC DNA: TGTTGT AAT

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino 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 Gene B Gene C

DNA: ACC GGA TAT DNA: TTG CGA DNA: TTT ATG

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid Sequence

______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Gene D Gene E Gene F

DNA: GGA GTTGTT DNA: CAT AGG AAA CCC DNA: TGTTGT CTA

mRNA ______mRNA ______mRNA ______

Amino Acid SequenceAmino Acid SequenceAmino Acid Sequence

______

Trait ______Trait ______Trait ______

Analysis Questions:

  1. What does the sequence of DNA represent?
  1. What does that (answer from above) control about an organism? Give an example.
  1. What is the base pairing rule of DNA to mRNA?
  1. Why do you think this organism was called a “CHNOPS”
  1. Distinguish between transcription and translation.
  1. 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

  1. 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 SequenceTrait

Tryptophane, Proline, Isoleucine,BLACK SPOTS

Tryptophane, Valine, Isoleucine,NO BLACK SPOTS

Asparagine, AlanineFOUR LEGS

Proline, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine LONG TAIL

Valine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine NO TAIL

Lysine, PhenylalanineCURLY HAIR

Lysine, TyrosineSTRAIGHT HAIR

Proline, Glutamine, AlanineRED SKIN

Proline, Glutamine, GlutamineGREEN SKIN

Threonine, Threonine, Aspartic AcidWINGS

Threonine, Threonine, LeucineNO WINGS