1. Objectives
The objective of this lab is to understand how genes are expressed.
Materials
• 20 DNA Template Cards: these will be kept on the supply table at all times. After all,
DNA cannot leave the nucleus.
20 DNA Template Cards: these will be kept on the supply table at all times. After all,
DNA cannot leave the nucleus.
• Codon chart for sentences
Codon chart for sentences
Procedure
1. Your group will be assigned a number
2. Go to the table, with the DNA template cards
3. Find the card with your number
4. While staying in the nucleus (the table with the cards), transcribe the mRNA, from your
DNA card, onto your lab report.
5. Return to your table.
6. Using the codon chart, translate your protein from the mRNA
7. Get another number from your teacher to make another protein.
While staying in the nucleus (the table with the cards), transcribe the mRNA, from your
DNA card, onto your lab report.
5. Return to your table.
6. Using the codon chart, translate your protein from the mRNA
7. Get another number from your teacher to make another protein.
Data
Gene number:___4__________
mRNA: AUG, AGA, AGU, AGG, AGA, AGC, AUA, AUC, UAG
Protein:_The beatles are the best rock band.
______________________________________________________________________
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Gene number:_______5______
mRNA:_AUG, AUU, CAA, CAC, AUC, CAG, CCA, CAU, UAG
Protein:__An old rubber band breaks when pulled.
_____________________________________________________________________
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Gene number:_____6________
mRNA:AUG, CCC, CCG, AGA, AGC, CCU, UAG
Protein:_ Biology is the best subject.
______________________________________________________________________
Analysis
1. Why is the making of mRNA called transcription and not replication?
2. Why is the making of mRNA called transcription and not translation?
3. Why is the making of protein called translation?
4. Identify the organelles where transcription and translation occur.
Conclusion
1. Do you feel that you are able to decode the genetic code found in living organisms? Why or
why not?
2. Do you think this lab should be done in groups of two, four, or individually? Why?
3. What was the easiest part of this lab? What was the most difficult part?
Codon Chart for Proteins (sentences)
DNA Cards
1. TAC,TTT,TTG,TTC,CAT,GTG,TAG,ATC

2. 2. TAC,TTT,TTG,TTA,ACG,TGC,ATC
3. TAC,ATT,TGG,TGA,TGT,ATC
4. TAC,TCT,TCA,TCC,TCT,TCG,TAT,TAG,ATC
AUG AGA AGU AGG AGA AGC AUA AUC UAG
5. TAC,TAA,GTT,GTG,TAG,GTC,GGT,GTA,ATC
AUG,AUU,CAA,CAC,AUC,CAG,CCA,CAU,UAG
6. TAC,GGG,GGC,TCT,TCG,GGA,ATC
AUG, CCC, CCG, AGA, AGC, CCU, UAG
7. TAC,GCT,GCG,GCC,GCA,ATC
8. TAC,GAT,GAG,TAT,CTA,GAC,GAA,ATC
9. TAC,ATT,TCC,CTT,CTG,CTC,ATC
10. TAC,GGG,GGC,CGT,CGG,CGC,ATC
11. TAC,CGA,GGC,TCT,CCT,CCG,TCT,CCC,ATC
12. TAC,TTT,CCA,TTC,CAT,CAG,ATC
13. TAC,TTT,CAC,TTC,CAA,ATC
14. TAC,ATT,TCC,CTT,ATG,ATA,AGT,ATC
15. TAC,ATT,AGG,AGC,AGA,GCC,GCA,ATC
16. TAC,TAT,CTA,GAC,GAA,GGC,TCT,TCG,ATC
17. TAC,GGG,GGC,CTT,ACT,ACG,ATC
18. TAC,ACC,CAT,ACA,GCC,GCA,ATC
19. TAC,ATT,GGC,TCT,AAG,AAC,AAA,ATC
20. TAC,AAT,AGG,AGC,ACC,AAC,AAA,ATC