Copy of Transcription and Translation Mini-Labs (5/28/2026)

Last updated about 2 hours ago

12 questions

Note from the author:

Instructions

Transcription Mini-Lab

Translation Mini-Lab

Exit Ticket

Required

Copy of Transcription and Translation Mini-Labs (5/28/2026)

Last updated about 2 hours ago

12 questions

Note from the author:

B.4.2 Construct an explanation for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Learning Goals:
I can explain how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins.
I can explain that proteins carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Instructions

B.4.2 Construct an explanation for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Learning Goals:
I can explain how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins.
I can explain that proteins carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Transcription Mini-Lab

Directions - Transcription Mini-Lab:
Click "Prepare for Transcription".
Click on the "A", "U", "G", and "C" at the bottom of the lab site.
Pay attention to which RNA nucleotides will attach to which DNA nucleotides - you will be reporting this pattern, later.
To start over at the beginning (if you cannot figure out the pattern of how RNA nucleotides pair with DNA nucleotides) click "Reset".
Report the pattern where the question asks for it, below the embedded lab.
You will take a screenshot of the completed mRNA molecule that you will construct during this minilab and attach it to question #4.

Immediately after you clicked "Prepare for transcription", what happened to the DNA molecule?

Identify which RNA nucleotides will pair-up with the following DNA nucleotides (capitalize the abbreviations).
A _______ 
C _______ 
G _______ 
T _______ 

Is the RNA an exact copy of the DNA? From your observations, how does it relate to DNA? Explain.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the completed mRNA molecule and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Use the pattern that you discovered of how RNA nucleotides pair-up with DNA nucleotides to complete an mRNA molecule using the following DNA template (capitalize the abbreviations).

DNA:   mRNA:
   A     _______ 
   C     _______ 
   C     _______ 
   G    _______ 
   T     _______ 
   A     _______ 
   A     _______ 
   G    _______ 
   T     _______ 
   T     _______ 
   A     _______ 
   C     _______ 
   G     _______ 

What is the nucleotide that RNA has that DNA does not; what is the nucleotide that DNA has that RNA does not (capitalize the abbreviations)?

RNA has: _______ 
DNA has: _______ 

What nucleotide would they both pair with? _______ 

Translation Mini-Lab

Direction - Translation Mini-Lab:
Click "Translate".
Observe the process; run this a few times to get an idea of the general process of translation.
Click "Reset".
Click "Translate step by step".
Record the three-nucleotide sequence on the mRNA (codon), below, that the first tRNA links up with.
Record the three-nucleotide sequence on the tRNA (anticodon), below, that links up with the codon on the mRNA.
Record the three-letter abbreviation of each amino acid that is on the tRNA.
Repeat steps 4-7 until the amino acid chain releases from the ribosome.
Pay attention to what happens to the amino acid chain immediately after it releases from the ribosome and be prepared to provide a basic description of this. If you are not sure, click "Reset" and then "Translate" and pay attention - do this as many times as you need.
Pay attention to the very last codon on the mRNA and what happens when the ribosome reaches it.
You will take a screenshot of the protein that you formed at the end of this minilab for question #10.

Record the codon sequence on each mRNA and the anticodon sequence on each complementary tRNA in order. Also record the three-letter abbreviation for each amino acid that is linked to each tRNA.
Nucleotide abbreviations must be capitalized (ex - GAA; CUU).
The first letter of each amino acid must be capitalized, while the next two letters must be lowercase (Glu; Ile; Ser).
mRNA codons:        tRNA anticodons:     Aminos:
    1  _______                   _______                     _______ 
     2 _______                   _______                     _______  
     3 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     4 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     5 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     6 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     7 _______                   _______                     _______  
     8 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     9 _______                   _______                     _______ 
     10_______                   _______                     _______ 
     11_______                   _______                     _______ 

What was the last codon on the mRNA (hint - a tRNA did not pair-up with it)?
Capitalize the abbreviation.
_______ 

What happened to the translation process, the ribosome, and the amino acid chain when the codon in #8 was reached by the ribosome?

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the protein and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Exit Ticket

Required

Provide a list of one - two things that you either learned or confusions that were cleared up in this activity.

Required

Copy of Transcription and Translation Mini-Labs (5/28/2026)

Copy of Transcription and Translation Mini-Labs (5/28/2026)

Immediately after you clicked "Prepare for transcription", what happened to the DNA molecule?

Is the RNA an exact copy of the DNA? From your observations, how does it relate to DNA? Explain.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the completed mRNA molecule and attach it here. Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

What happened to the translation process, the ribosome, and the amino acid chain when the codon in #8 was reached by the ribosome?

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the protein and attach it here. Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Provide a list of one - two things that you either learned or confusions that were cleared up in this activity.

Immediately after you clicked "Prepare for transcription", what happened to the DNA molecule?

Is the RNA an exact copy of the DNA? From your observations, how does it relate to DNA? Explain.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the completed mRNA molecule and attach it here. Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

What happened to the translation process, the ribosome, and the amino acid chain when the codon in #8 was reached by the ribosome?

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the protein and attach it here. Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Provide a list of one - two things that you either learned or confusions that were cleared up in this activity.

After having completed this activity, my confidence regarding this topic has:

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the completed mRNA molecule and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the protein and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the completed mRNA molecule and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.

Take a screenshot (use the partial screenshot option) of the protein and attach it here.

Click "Show Your Work"; click the "Image" button on the left; click "Upload Picture" and select it in your file folder.