BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

Name: MITCHELL
Project 1: Code Breakers and Makers
Potential Credits:

/15

Project Goals:

to practice translating the genetic code from mRNA, tRNA and DNA to amino acids
Instructions:
Please read the Unit 6 Lesson, Protein Synthesis, paying particular attention to how
translation and the genetic code works.
For Part 1, please use the codon table provided below, with the single letter amino acid
abbreviations, to break the coded message. The coded message is given and then work
space is provided for you to decode the message. Please show all of your work!
For Part 2, please create your own scenario and coded message. Be sure that the coded
message includes at least:
o 5 letters coded for by a template DNA sequence
o 5 letters coded for by an mRNA sequence
o 5 letters coded for by a tRNA sequence
o a solution to the code

THE CODON TABLE.

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BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

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This codon table allows you to directly translate from an mRNA sequence to an amino acid
sequence. The amino acid's full name and single letter abbreviation is given

=N
=K

=H
=Q

=T

=P

=D

=Y

=E

=A

=S

=C

=S
=R

=G

=R

To the IBI,

=I

=W

=L

=V

=F
=L

=M

My captors are demanding receipt of all the alien DNA samples being held at the MNU.
As well, I need the following sequences made:

Part 1: Breaking the Coded Message

3'
Last
week5'GAU
Dr. D.
Enay
was
mysteriously
Now
the GCG
IBI AGU
(Intergalactic
Bureau of
mRNA:
CGU
UGA
AAU
GAA UUU kidnapped.
UAG GCU AGG
AUU
Investigation) has received the ransom note below. The IBI has asked you, Dr. D. Enays lab
technician, to look at the note to determine if there are any clues as to who has taken the Doctor.
You immediately recognize
that the Doctor has used the sequences to code a message and
that all
3'
5'
template
DNA:
GGT
GAC
CGT
TTG
CTC
TGT
ACT
AGA
TAT
GAT
TAG
ACG
CGG
you need to do is to translate the message using the genetic code and the single letter
abbreviations for the corresponding amino acids.
3'
5
Please
use the
nextCUU
pageGAG
to decode
the message
and to save Dr. D. Enay and countless citizens.
tRNAs:
GUG
GGU AUU

Please show all of your work so that the IBI can use it to break any future codes.
You have 24 hours to prepare the samples. My captors will then contact you with
details of the exchange. Failure to comply will result in the destruction of a major
public building.

Sincerely,
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D. Enay

BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

DECODED MESSAGE
mRNA Sequence
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BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

mRN
A

5'

GAU

CGU

UGA

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

AAU

GAA

UUU

UAG

GCU

AGG

AUU

GCG

AGU3'

aa

template DNA Sequence

3''

GAC

CGT

TTG

CTC

TGT

ACT

AGA

TAT

GAT

TAG

ACG

CGG5'

CCA

CUG

GCA

AAC

GAG

ACA

UGA

UCU

AUA

CUA

AUC

UGC

GCC

CUU

GAG

GGU

AUU5'

CAC

GAA

CUC

CCA

UAA

DNA

GGT

mRN
A

aa

tRNA Sequence

tRNA

5'

GUG

mRN
A

aa

Part 2: Making the Coded Message

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BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

You may choose to use the grid below for rough work or you may choose to do your rough work
on a separate page. Either way, please submit a coded message following the criteria listed in the
instructions section above. You will have to do the reverse process of Part 1 to create your code
such that you start with the amino acid sequence, go to the mRNA sequence and then, where
appropriate, go the template DNA or tRNA sequences. When you present the final coded
message you should just present the mRNA, template DNA and tRNA sequences on one page
and the solution on a separate page. Please note that you have been provided with space for
words longer than 5 letters if needed. As well, you may wish to have a message that is more than
three words long however, that is up to you to determine.

mRNA_ Sequence = Final Coding Sequence

AA

GAG

GUC

GAA

AAU

UAA

GCU

mRN
A

DNA Sequence = Final Coding Sequence

AA

CUC

AUU

ACC

ACG

CUG

GAG

GAC

TAA

TGG

TGC

GAC

CTC

mRN
A

DNA

tRNA Sequence = Final Coding Sequence

AA

CAC

GAA

CUU

UUC

UCA

GUG

CUU

GAA

AAG

AGU

mRN
A

tRNA

Marking Guide:
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BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

Part 1: Breaking the Coded Message

Part 2: Making the Coded Message
Total =

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/5
/10
/15

BIO 12 UNIT 06: Protein Synthesis

BCLN Rev. July, 2015

BREAK THE CODED MESSAGE:

An ancient civilization, thought to have been incredibly advanced, has coded an old proverb into
amino acid letter combination. You, the archaeologist, need to break the code.

GAG

GUC

GAA

AAU

UAA

GCU

GAC

CTC

mRNA

AA
DNA

GAC

TAA

GUG

TGG

CUU

TGC

GAA

tRNA

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AAG

AGU