Monster Synthesis Activity
Monster Synthesis Activity
Purpose: To examine how an organism's DNA determines their phenotypes.
Background Information: Your unique body characteristics (traits), such as hair color or blood type, are determined by the proteins your body produces. Proteins are the building block of life - in fact, about 45% of the human body is made of protein. These organic macromolecules perform a wide range of functions including body repair, regulation, and protection. Proteins are created by bonding groups of amino acids that are coded for by the nucleotide base sequences (A, T, G, and C) in your DNA.
DNA is trapped in the nucleus because it is too wide to escape through the small nuclear pores in the nuclear membrane. This is a big issue for the cell, since proteins are made outside the nucleus in the cytoplasm. For this reason, a process called transcription occurs. DNA passes on its nucleotide base sequences, or code, to a single-stranded molecule called mRNA (messenger). mRNA then carries the code out to the cytoplasm to the ribosomes, the site where proteins are made.
When the mRNA reaches the ribosome, the code in the mRNA nucleotides are read in groups of three bases, or codons. It takes three bases to code for a single amino acid. Each codon signals another type of RNA, called tRNA (transfer), to carry a specific amino acid into the ribosome. As amino acids continue to bond to one another it forms a polypeptide chain that eventually results in a protein. This process is known as translation.
In this activity, you will simulate protein synthesis by transcribing the DNA and translating the mRNA of the imaginary CHNOPS monster. You will decode each gene to determine the phenotypic expression of the CHNOPS monster's DNA, and then draw the monster based on your results.
Background Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences, restating the question within your answer.
1. What is the monomer for proteins? 2. Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing proteins? 3. What happens during transcription? Where in the cell does transcription take place? 4. What is the function of mRNA? 5. How many bases make up a codon? If you have 30 bases, how many amino acids would it code for? 6. What are the base pair rules when going from DNA to mRNA? 7. What happens during translation? Where in the cell does translation take place?
Instructions: 1. Pick out a DNA strand for each category. a. Write down the DNA strand and allele number on your "Monster Synthesis Data Sheet" b. Transcribe each DNA strand into mRNA. c. Translate the mRNA strand into an amino acid sequence using the genetic codon chart. d. Write down the physical appearance (phenotype) based on the amino acid sequence you have decoded.
2. Draw a picture of your Monster on a separate sheet of blank paper based on the traits that you have decoded.
Monster Synthesis Activity
Monster DNA SEQUENCES:
1. Pick a DNA strand for HAIR COLOR. Allele 1: TAC ATA CGC GGG ATT Allele 2: TAC ATA CGC GTA ATT Allele 3: TAC GGG CCC AAA ATT Allele 4: TAC GGC CCT TTT ATT
2. Pick a DNA strand for EYE COLOR. Allele 1: TAC ATA CGC GGG ATT Allele 2: TAC ATA CGC GTA ATT Allele 3: TAC GGG CCC AAA ATT Allele 4: TAC GGC CCT TTT ATT
3. Pick a DNA strand for HAND SIZE. Allele 5: TAC AAA TTT CCC ATC Allele 6: TAC CAA CAT CAG ATC Allele 7: TAC GTA GTG GCT ATC
4. Pick a DNA strand for FEET SIZE. Allele 5: TAC AAA TTT CCC ATC Allele 6: TAC CAA CAT CAG ATC Allele 7: TAC GTA GTG GCT ATC
5. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER of FEET. Allele 8: TAC TAT CCG ATA ATC Allele 9: TAC TAT CCG TAT ATC Allele 10: TAC TAT CCG TGA ATC Allele 11: TAC TAT CCG AGG ATC Allele 12: TAC TAT CCG GGG ATC Allele 13: TAC TAT CCG GCA ATC
6. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER of HANDS. Allele 8: TAC TAT CCG ATA ATC Allele 9: TAC TAT CCG TAT ATC Allele 10: TAC TAT CCG TGA ATC Allele 11: TAC TAT CCG AGG ATC Allele 12: TAC TAT CCG GGG ATC Allele 13: TAC TAT CCG GCA ATC
7. Pick a DNA strand for NUMBER OF EYES. Allele 8: TAC ATC CGA TAA ATC Allele 9: TAC TAT CCG TAT ATC Allele 10: TAC TAT CCG TGA ATC Allele 11: TAC TAT CCG AGG ATC Allele 12: TAC TAT CCG GGG ATC Allele 13: TAC TAT CCG GCA ATC
8. Pick a DNA strand for FUR TYPE. Allele 14: TAC ACA ACG ACC ATT Allele 15: TAC ACA ACG CTT ATT
9. Pick a DNA strand for GENDER. Allele 16: TAC AAA TTT TTT ATC Allele 17: TAC AAA TTT GCA ATC
10. Pick a DNA strand for HORNS. Allele 18: TAC CTT GTA GTA ATT Allele 19: TAC CTT GTA TCA ATT
11. Pick a DNA strand for ACCESSORY. Allele 20: TAC AAA AGT GAA ATT Allele 21: TAC AAA AGT AAA ATT
12. Pick a DNA strand for TYPE of WINGS. Allele 22: TAC CAA CGA GAA ATT Allele 23: TAC CAT CGA GTC ATT
13. Pick a DNA strand for TEETH. Allele 24: TAC ATA CGC CTC ATT Allele 25: TAC TTA CGC GGA ATT Allele 26: TAC GGG TTA AAA ATT
Monster Synthesis Activity
Third Base
Amino Acid Sequences and the Traits they code for:
Tyr ? Ala ? Pro = Green and Yellow
Iso ? Gly ? Thr = One
Asp ? Ala ? Pro = Straight
Second Base
Val ? Val ? Val = Really big
U
C
A
G
Val ? Ala ? Leu = Insect like Pro ? Gly ? Phe = Pink and Purple Pro ? Asp ? Phe = Missing Teeth Cys ? Cys ? Glu = Rough and Curly Phe ? Lys ? Lys = Male Iso ? Gly ? Pro = Eight Tyr ? Ala ? Glu = Crooked
Phe Ser Tyr Cys U Phe Ser Tyr Cys C U Leu Ser Stop Stop A Leu Ser Stop Try G
Leu Pro His Arg U
C
Leu Leu
Pro Pro
His Arg C Glu Arg A
Leu Pro Glu Arg G
First Base
Pro ? Gly ? Lys ? Black and Red
Iso Thr Asp Ser U
Iso ? Gly ? Iso = Four Tyr ? Ala ? His = Orange and Blue Phe ? Lys ? Arg = Female Phe ? Ser ? Phe = Hat Phe ? Lys ? Gly = Small
A
Iso Iso
Thr Thr
Asp Ser C Lys Arg A
Met Thr Lys Arg G
Val Ala Asp Gly U
G
Val Val
Ala Ala
Asp Gly C Glu Gly A
His ? His ? Arg = Medium
Val Ala Glu Gly G
Glu ? His ? His = One
Phe ? Ser ? Leu = Cape/ Bling-Bling (male), Earrings/Purse (female)
Iso ? Gly ? Ser = Two
Iso ? Gly ? Tyr = One
Val ? Ala ? Gly = Bird like
Iso ? Gly ? Arg = Five
Glu ? His ? Ser = Two
Cys ? Cys ? Try = Smooth and Straight
Monster Synthesis Data Sheet
1. Gene for Hair Color (allele # _____ )
7. Gene for Number of Eyes (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
2. Gene for Eye Color (allele # _____ )
8. Gene for Fur Type (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
3. Gene for Hand Size (allele # _____ )
9. Gene for Gender (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
4. Gene for Feet Size (allele # _____ )
10. Gene for Horns (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
5. Gene for Number of Feet (allele # _____ )
11. Gene for Accessory (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
6. Gene for Number of Hands (allele # _____ )
12. Gene for Wings (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
13. Gene for Teeth (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
Monster Synthesis Data Sheet
1. Gene for Hair Color (allele # _____ )
7. Gene for Number of Eyes (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
2. Gene for Eye Color (allele # _____ )
8. Gene for Fur Type (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
3. Gene for Hand Size (allele # _____ )
9. Gene for Gender (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
4. Gene for Feet Size (allele # _____ )
10. Gene for Horns (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
5. Gene for Number of Feet (allele # _____ )
11. Gene for Accessory (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
6. Gene for Number of Hands (allele # _____ )
12. Gene for Wings (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
13. Gene for Teeth (allele # _____ )
DNA: _________________________________________________ mRNA: _______________________________________________ Amino Acid: _________________________________________ Physical Appearance/Protein: ____________________
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