Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
During translation, messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the copied genetic code out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, transfer RNA (tRNA) acts as an interpreter of the mRNA code. The tRNA matches a three-base sequence called an anticodon with the codon located on the mRNA. The tRNA then transfers the matching amino acid to the mRNA, and the amino acids are brought to the ribosome where they are connected forming a polypeptide chain.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) reads the mRNA codons and deciphers them into amino acids. Finding the amino acid sequence that forms a protein can be done by analyzing an amino acid codon wheel. The three bases make a codon. If the codon is CGU, then the first base is C, the second base is G, and the third base is U. On the codon wheel, the first base is located nearest the center, the second base is located in the middle, and the third base is located towards the outside of the wheel. Using the codon CGU, you can see from the amino acid codon wheel shown that the matching amino acid is arginine.
Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. You should consider the following question: How will using an amino acid codon wheel help you determine the matching amino acid from a given codon? Record your hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report.
Equipment and Materials
Procedure and Data Collection
Codes Table
Gene One | Dominant: TAC-GAA-TTT-CAC-ATT |
Recessive: TAC-GAA-TAT-CCC-ATT | |
Gene Two | Dominant: TAC – ATA – GAG – ATC |
Recessive: TAC – AAA – GAG – ATC | |
Gene Three | Dominant: TAC – CGG – CTC – GGT – GAG - ACT |
Recessive: TAC – CGG – CTC – GCT – GAG - ACT | |
Gene Four | Dominant: TAC – GTC – TCC – TTA – CAC - ATC |
Recessive: TAC – GTC – TCA – TTA – CAC - ATC | |
Gene Five | Dominant: TAC – GTA – GTA – AAC - ACT |
Recessive: TAC – GTA – GGA – AAC – ACT | |
Gene Six | Dominant: TAC – GGA – CGT – TGA – TAA - ATC |
Recessive: TAC – GGA – CGT – TAG – TAA – ATC |
Amino Acid Codon Wheel
Traits Table
Amino Acid Sequence | Trait |
alanine – glutamic acid – arginine - leucine | Tall |
alanine – glutamic acid – proline - leucine | Short |
glutamine – arginine – asparagine – valine | Full Lips |
glutamine – serine – asparagine – valine | Thin Lips |
histidine – histidine – leucine | Large Ears |
histidine – proline – leucine | Small Ears |
leucine – isoleucine – valine | Light Skin |
leucine – lysine – valine | Dark Skin |
proline – alanine – isoleucine – isoleucine | Large Rounded Body Shape |
proline – alanine – threonine – isoleucine | Thin Skinny Body Shape |
phenylalanine - leucine | Brown Eyes |
Tyrosine – leucine | Blue Eyes |
Data
Use the data tables provided in the Data section of the From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report to record your data from this scientific investigation. The data tables are also shown below:
Gene One | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Gene Two | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Gene Three | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Gene Four | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Gene Five | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Gene Six | |
DNA | |
mRNA codon | |
tRNA anticodon | |
Amino Acid Sequence | |
Trait |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of the From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions:
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of the From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion based on your data. Were your hypotheses true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your investigation to form your conclusion. Make sure that you include information that you gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the From Gene to Protein Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.