Transcription and Translation Practice: Name _____________________________________ Background: • DNA controls our traits • DNA is found in the nucleus of our cells • Our traits are controlled by proteins • DNA is the instructions to make proteins • Proteins are made in ribosomes (outside the nucleus) • Proteins are made of amino acids Transcription makes RNA from DNA • RNA is complementary to DNA • RNA can leave the nucleus (DNA cannot) Translation makes proteins using RNA • Takes place at the ribosome • mRNA is “read” to put together a protein from amino acids Example: Beyonce has brown eyes. Her eyes look brown because her DNA codes for a brown pigment in the cells of her eyes. This is the gene that codes for brown eyes. DNA : T A C G C G T A T A C C G A C A T T Transcription will make mRNA from DNA mRNA: A U G C G C _________________________ Transcription will join amino acids to make the protein Rules for Transcription: Methionine - Arginine - ____________________________________ Base of DNA → Base in mRNA A → U Rules of Translation: C → G Three letters of mRNA = a codon G → C A codon “codes” for an amino acid We use the “Genetic Code” to determine the amino acids T → A RNA contains Uracil instead of Thymine The complete chain of amino acids will complete the protein that will give Beyonce her brown eyes. If you have brown eyes you have the same protein. If you have blue or green eyes your DNA sequence is a little different which will make the amino acid sequence (protein) a little different. Now try these examples: First transcribe the DNA into mRNA and then use the genetic code to translate the mRNA into an amino acid sequence. 1. DNA: A T A C G A A A T C G C G A T C G C G G C G A T T C G mRNA: Amino acid sequence: 2. DNA: T T T A C G G C C A T C A G G C A A T A C T G G mRNA: Amino acid sequence: 3. DNA: T A C G G G C C T A T A C G C T A C T A C T CA T G G A T C mRNA: Amino acid sequence: 4. DNA: G T A C G C G T A T A C C G A C A T mRNA: Amino acid sequence: .