Protein Synthesis: Making a Monster

Protein Synthesis: Making a Monster

Segments of your DNA, called, genes, code for your traits by making a protein, which gives rise to your phenotype. There are a few steps between DNA and protein, as illustrated by the flow chart below. In the flow chart, the arrows mean the word “makes” or “produces”.

​Before a gene becomes a protein, the gene must be transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA). DNA is stuck inside the nucleus, but the gene’s code must be read in the cytoplasm, on a ribosome. For this reason, an enzyme called RNA polymerase reads the gene, and makes a complimentary RNA “copy” of the gene called mRNA, which leaves the nucleus for the next step. Transcription is the process by which mRNA is made from a gene.

​​Transcription

Part 1: Background on Protein Synthesis (aka "Gene Expression")

To the right: A gene (outlined by dotted line) is being transcribed RNA polymerase (bean shape molecule) inside the nucleus of a cell. The RNA transcript is a complimentary, single stranded RNA strand, that will leave the nucleus, and be used for the next step in gene expression.

Transcription

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order to make a protein?

• Protein, DNA, RNA

• RNA, DNA, Protein

• DNA, RNA, Protein

• Protein, RNA, DNA

Multiple Choice

What enzyme does transcription use?

• DNA polymerase

• ligase

• RNA polymerase

• helicase

Multiple Choice

Which RNA carries the message?

• mRNA

• rRNA

• tRNA

Multiple Choice

Where does transcription take place?

• nucleus
• cytoplasm
• ribosome

​After the transcript leaves the nucleus, it attaches to a ribosome, where the mRNA code is read by molecules called tRNA (transfer RNA). The tRNA “interpret” the mRNA, and string the correct amino acids together in a chain. The amino acid chain is the protein, which folds into a shape, and can carry out a job in the cell. In short, translation is the process by which mRNA gets converted into protein on a ribosome.

​​Translation

Multiple Choice

RNA is read in sections called:

• Triplets
• Genes
• Codons
• Genes

Multiple Choice

tRNA is involved in

• carrying amino acids 
• carrying ribosomes
• carrying glucose
• carrying lipids

Multiple Choice

Amino acids are joined together in order to form

• DNA
• ribosomes
• proteins 
• RNA

Multiple Choice

What is the location in the cell for translation?

• nucleus
• mitochondria
• ribosome
• chloroplast

Part 2: Matching

Protein Synthesis can be compared to the steps involved in baking a cake. Choose the correct analogy for each step in baking a cake

Multiple Choice

Book of recipes

• Translation

• DNA

• Gene

• Mutation

• Transcription

Multiple Choice

Baking the cake in the oven

• Translation

• DNA

• Gene

• Amino Acids folding into Protein

• Transcription

Multiple Choice

Making a copy of the recipe from the cookbook.

• Mutation

• Translation

• Gene

• Transcription

• Amino Acid folding into Protein

Multiple Choice

Combining the ingredients according to the directions

• Mutation

• Transcription

• Translation

• Amino Acids folding into Protein

• Gene

Multiple Choice

A change in the recipe

• Mutation

• Transcription

• DNA

• Translation

• Gene

Multiple Choice

An individual recipe

• Mutation

• Translation

• DNA

• Gene

• Transcription

Open Ended

If the original cake recipe called for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a newly printed version of the recipe book accidentally prints the recipe to call for 8 teaspoons of vanilla extract, how will it affect the cake?

Open Ended

Compare the misprinted recipe in the previous question to mutations and protein synthesis.

Part 3: Simulating
Protein Synthesis

​The remainder of this assignment will be completed on paper. See your teacher to get the worksheet.