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Protein Synthesis Practice Worksheet

Last updated almost 2 years ago
26 questions
Protein Synthesis and Codons Practice
Protein synthesis is the process where a sequence of DNA is used to build a protein from individual amino acids. The first step in this process is called TRANSCRIPTION, where a coding region of DNA is converted to messenger RNA (mRNA). During transcription, mRNA is made from the DNA sequence following the base pair rule, except RNA does not contain the base Thymine, but instead has Uracil. The mRNA then leaves the nucleus and goes to a ribosome in the cell's cytoplasm. The ribosome reads the message three bases at a time, called a CODON. Each codon will specify a single amino acid. The amino acids are joined together and folded into a protein, a process called TRANSLATION
Key Points:
  • DNA is used to make a copy of mRNA (transcription)
  • mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes to ribosomes
  • 3 bases = codon
  • 1 codon = a single amino acid
  • A chain of amino acids = a protein
  • Protein synthesis is also called translation
Biologists use a codon chart or a codon wheel to determine the amino acids. Amino acids are usually abbreviated on these charts as three letter words, like Cys and Ser.
4

What is a codon?

4

What is the role of a codon in protein synthesis?

4

Where does translation occur in the cell?

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to CCC.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to CAG.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to GAA.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to UUU.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to AGU.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to UAC.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to CGU.

4

Use the codon chart to write the amino acid that corresponds to CCA.

Write the CODON that corresponds with each amino acid. There may be more than one (any one code is all you need to type in. The full names are written, but the codon chart only shows the first three letters.
4

Proline

4

Valine

4

Histidine

4

Glycine

4

Phenylalanine

4

Arginine

4

A single codon is used to signal the beginning of protein synthesis. It is commonly called the START CODON.
Locate the start codon on the chart. What are the three bases of this codon?

4

There are three codons that signal the end of synthesis, these are called STOP codons.
What are the three stop codons?

For each sequence of DNA is shown. Type the complementary RNA sequence , then use the codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence:
DNA → TAC CAT GGA ATT ACT
6

RNA SEQUENCE (put 1 space between each codon in all capital letters)

6

Amino Acid Sequence (type out with a space after each three letters).

0

Circle the mutation.

4

What type of frame shift mutation was shown in the picture on number 22?

0

Circle the mutation.

4

What type of mutation is shown in question 24?

4

Match the following mutation to its definition.

Draggable itemCorresponding Item
Frameshift
A mutation that causes the reading frame to shift, altering the sequence.
Nonsense
Premature termination of protein synthesis due to a stop codon.
Missense
A mutation that changes one amino acid to another.