February 7-21

Protein Synthesis Activity: "My DNA Speaks to Me" 🧬

In this interactive activity, you learned how DNA codes for proteins, the essential building blocks of life. By simulating the process of protein synthesis, you explored how genes direct the production of specific proteins through transcription and translation.

What You Did in Class:

1️⃣ Protein Synthesis Notes & Instruction

• Reviewed how DNA, mRNA, and tRNA work together to build proteins.

• Defined key vocabulary: transcription, translation, codons, amino acids, and ribosomes.

• Learned that DNA is too large to leave the nucleus, so it copies its instructions onto mRNA to deliver the message to the ribosome.

2️⃣ Hands-On Group Activity: Translating DNA to Proteins

• Worked in teams of four, with each student taking on a different role:

  • DNA Student: Selected a DNA sequence.

  • mRNA Transcriber: Transcribed DNA into mRNA (T → U).

  • tRNA Translator: Matched mRNA codons with tRNA anticodons.

  • Amino Acid Translator: Used a codon chart to determine which amino acids formed the final protein.

• Built "protein sentences" using tRNA/amino acid cards, revealing how proteins are coded.

3️⃣ Analyzing Mistakes (Mutations!)

• Checked accuracy of sequences and identified errors.

• Discussed how mutations (mistakes in DNA) can change the resulting protein, potentially affecting traits.

Key Takeaways:

✅ DNA is the blueprint for life, and mRNA helps deliver its instructions.
✅ Proteins are built step by step, starting with transcription in the nucleus and finishing with translation in the ribosome.
✅ Mutations can lead to different traits, some helpful, some harmful.
✅ This process determines everything from hair color to how your body functions!

💡 Great job "translating" your DNA into proteins! Keep practicing how genes control traits—this will be important in our genetics unit! 🔬✨