Transcribe the DNA sequence into a strand of precursor mRNA (space to do this has been provided in the boxed area immediately beneath the DNA sequence). When finished, cut horizontally along the double lines to separate your precursor mRNA from the DNA sequence. Set the DNA sequence aside.
Beginning with the start codon on the precursor mRNA, draw a vertical line between each group of three bases to separate and distinguish the codons. You may continue the line into the blank space below the precursor mRNA strand.
Now count the codons, beginning with the start codon, and identify codons 13, 20, 34, and 43.
Remove codons 13 to 20 (including codon 20) and tape codon 12 to codon 21.
Remove codons 34 to 43 (including 43) and tape codon 33 to codon 44. These discarded segments (codons 13-20 and 34-43) represent the introns.
Attach the 5’ cap and poly-A tail to your precursor mRNA strand. Your mRNA strand is now ready to exit the nucleus and be translated by ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Translate the mRNA into protein using the genetic code. (Space to do so has been provided beneath the mRNA sequence.)
Cut horizontally along the triple lines to separate your amino acid sequence from the mRNA.
Remove methionine (coded by the start codon) from your protein. Remove “Stop” if you
have included it at the end of your protein.
Record the amino acid sequence of your protein (the primary protein structure) on the answer card provided.
As protein chains emerge from ribosomes, the amino acid backbones and R-groups interact to bend, twist, and fold the chain into the final shape of the protein. Illustrate this by twisting, bending, and folding your amino acid chain, with the help of some tape, into its final three-dimensional shape.
Congratulations, you have just simulated the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology!