Code Cracker SlidesGenetic Code Cracker Transcription & Translation: From DNA to Protein The Central Dogma DNA Master Code RNA Messenger PROTEIN Building Block Transcription: DNA → RNA Occurs in the Nucleus Translation: RNA → Protein Occurs at the Ribosome Base Pairing Rules DNA → RNA A U T A C G G C "RNA never carries a T!" Memory Trick: In RNA, "Apples go Under the tree" (A-U) and "Cars go in the Garage" (C-G). Using the Codon Chart Reading in Threes mRNA is read in groups of three bases called CODONS. 1 Find the 1st base on the left side. 2 Find the 2nd base on the top. 3 Find the 3rd base on the right. Example AUG Methionine (START CODON) The Code: 1st Base U Reference Part 1/4 UUU / UUC Phenylalanine UUA / UUG Leucine UCU / UCC / UCA / UCG Serine UAU / UAC Tyrosine UAA / UAG / UGA STOP CODON UGU / UGC Cysteine UGG Tryptophan The Code: 1st Base C Reference Part 2/4 CUU / CUC / CUA / CUG Leucine CCU / CCC / CCA / CCG Proline CAU / CAC Histidine CAA / CAG Glutamine CGU / CGC / CGA / CGG Arginine The Code: 1st Base A Reference Part 3/4 AUU / AUC / AUA Isoleucine AUG Methionine (START) ACU / ACC / ACA / ACG Threonine AAU / AAC Asparagine AAA / AAG Lysine AGU / AGC Serine AGA / AGG Arginine The Code: 1st Base G Reference Part 4/4 GUU / GUC / GUA / GUG Valine GCU / GCC / GCA / GCG Alanine GAU / GAC Aspartic Acid GAA / GAG Glutamic Acid GGU / GGC / GGA / GGG Glycine Final Practice Round DNA Code: TAC GGG TTT mRNA Copy: AUG CCC AAA Protein Chain: Met - Pro - Lys Ready to Crack the Code? You have your full codon reference on your worksheet. Let's head to the Protein Factory! Start Worksheet Task Cards
Code Cracker Guided NotesGenetic Code Cracker Guided Notes Scientist: Lab Date: 1. The Central Dogma DNA RNA PROTEIN Transcription: DNA → __________________ Occurs in the: __________________ Translation: RNA → __________________ Occurs at the: __________________ 2. Base Pairing Rules The goal of transcription is to create a portable copy of the genetic code called mRNA. The Big Rule: RNA does not have Thymine (T). It uses __________________ (U) instead! Memory Trick: Apples go __________________ the tree. DNA TemplatemRNA CopyA_____T_____C_____G_____ 3. Using the Universal Chart mRNA is read in groups of THREE bases called __________. 1st Base Find on LEFT side 2nd Base Find on TOP side 3rd Base Find on RIGHT side Each codon codes for one specific __________ __________. AUG Methionine (This is the "__________" codon) Sequence Cracking Challenge DNA Code: TAC GGG TTT mRNA Copy: ____________________ Protein: ____________________
Code Cracker WorksheetPROTEIN FACTORY Cracking the Transcript Agent Name: Lab Date: 1 Transcription Rules To transcribe DNA into mRNA, follow these base-pairing rules: A U T A C G G C Remember: "RNA never carries a T!" Uracil (U) replaces Thymine. 2 Level 1: Quick Transcripts Sample A DNA: A G C T T A G C G mRNA: Sample B DNA: T A C G C G A T T mRNA: Sample C DNA: C C G A T G C A G mRNA: Analysis Quest: Explain Transcription Why must the DNA be "transcribed" into mRNA? Why can't the DNA just go to the ribosome itself? End of Page 1 • Continue to Translation Lab 3 The Universal Codon Chart Reference Guide 1st Base2nd Base3rdUCA---------UUUU PheUUC PheUUA LeuUUG LeuUCU SerUCC SerUCA SerUCG SerUAU TyrUAC TyrUAA STOPUAG STOPUGU CysUGC CysUGA STOPUGG TrpUCAGCCUU LeuCUC LeuCUA LeuCUG LeuCCU ProCCC ProCCA Pro
Code Cracker Task CardsPROTEIN FACTORY Task Card Recording Sheet Name: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 01 Transcription Mission Transcribe the following DNA sequence into mRNA: TAC GGG AAA 02 Transcription Mission Transcribe the following DNA sequence into mRNA: CCC TTT GAT 03 Transcription Mission Transcribe the following DNA sequence into mRNA: ATC GCG TAG 04 Transcription Mission Transcribe the following DNA sequence into mRNA: GGA CAT TTA 05 Translation Task Use your codon chart to find the amino acid. mRNA Codon: AUG Identify the specific amino acid. 06 Translation Task Use your codon chart to find the amino acid. mRNA Codon: UUU Identify the specific amino acid. 07 Translation Task Use your codon chart to find the amino acid. mRNA Codon: GGG Identify the specific amino acid. 08 Translation Task Use your codon chart to find the amino acid. mRNA Codon: CCA Identify the specific amino acid. 09 Rule Check In the process of transcription, DNA's Adenine (A) always pairs with which RNA base? T U G C 10 Location Scan Where in the eukaryotic cell does the mRNA copy actually get built (transcription)? Hint: It's the "Brain" of the cell. 11 Full Crack DNA → RNA → Amino Acid DNA: TAC mRNA: ??? 12 Full Crack DNA → RNA → Amino Acid DNA: TTT mRNA: ???
