1. Transcription-Translation WebQuest
Introduction:
DNA is considered the “blue print” for life, but DNA by itself is pretty much useless. DNA must
be expressed to develop proteins which make up our biological being. Although we do not consciously
have to turn our DNA into proteins, it does not happen by magic, it goes through two specific processes:
transcription and translation. DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA which is then translated into
amino acids join together to become proteins.
Set-Up and Task:
During transcription, an enzyme called RNA Polymerase matches each DNA nucleotide base with
a complementary RNA nucleotide base to produce a strand of mRNA. During translation, the RNA
nucleotides form codons which are “read” by ribosomes to “build” amino acid sequences.
We have a template strand of DNA and want to know what protein it makes. You are going to be
a virtual RNA polymerase to transcribe the DNA then you will become a virtual ribosome to translate the
mRNA. Once you have developed your amino acid sequence. You must determine which protein is
produced by the sequence.
Process:
1. Watch an animation of transcription and translation as fast as it actually occurs inside our cells.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_Ne5mS2ls
2. Go through the interactive tutorials of the processes of transcription and translation.
http://sepuplhs.org/high/sgi/teachers/genetics_act16_sim.html
http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/popups/int_translation.html
3. Transcribe the DNA to produce mRNA and translate the mRNA using tRNAs into the correct amino
acids. Then identify the protein. Write down your mRNA strand, amino acid sequence, and final protein
on a piece of paper.
http://www.zerobio.com/drag_oa/protein/protein_synthesis1.htm
Evaluation and Conclusion:
Your success will be judged by your final protein. If you were able to perform well as an RNA
Polymerase as well as a ribosome, you will produce the correct protein. If you did not catch mutations as
an RNA Polymerase or mismatched amino acids as a ribosome, you will produce the wrong protein.
2. Cells do not waste any energy, so they want transcription and translation to operate correctly. If
simple mutations in the mRNA transcript occur, certain essential proteins may not develop. Lacking
certain proteins or having different proteins can have detrimental effects later on. Your transcription
and translation better work correctly or else your body will pay!
