Amoeba Sisters Video Companion for How to Read a Codon Chart
1. Please label the
following five words on the
image below: tRNA,
mRNA, codon, amino acid,
and anticodon.
Amino acid
tRNA
Anticodon
mRNA
Codon
2. When reading a codon chart, unless otherwise specified, you generally use the three bases that are part of the:
CIRCLE ONE: tRNA anticodon mRNA codon DNA codon DNA anticodon
3. The codon chart demonstrates that more than one codon can potentially code for the same amino acid.
CIRCLE ONE: TRUE FALSE
4. The information in this rectangular codon chart could be represented in a different way (ex: circular codon chart).
CIRCLE ONE: TRUE FALSE
One
5. How many different codon combinations are shown on this codon chart? ______________________________________
22
6. How many different types of amino acids are shown on this codon chart? ______________________________________
Codon Example 1 Codon Example 2 from Video Codon Example 3 from Video
from Video Try working through this before checking your Try working through this before checking your
answers in the video! answers in the video!
mRNA Codon: mRNA Codon: mRNA Codon:
AUG CCA GUC
tRNA Anticodon: tRNA Anticodon: tRNA Anticodon:
UAC GGU
7.______________________________________ CAG
9._______________________________________
Amino Acid: Amino Acid: Amino Acid:
Proline
8.______________________________________ Valine
10.______________________________________
methionine
Amoeba Sisters Video Companion for How to Read a Codon Chart
11. The video gave an example of identifying codons for an amino acid. Which six mRNA codons code for leucine?
CUC
____________ UUA
____________ UUG
____________ CUA
____________ CUG
____________ CUU
____________
12. What would be the six tRNA anticodons for the above mRNA codons?
GAG
____________ AAU
____________ AAC
____________ GAU
____________
GAC
____________ GAA
____________
13. What would be the DNA base triplets on the DNA template strand that complement the mRNA? One example has been
filled in for you!
____AAT_____ GAG
____________ AAC
____________ GAT
____________ GAC
____________ GAA
____________
TRUE or FALSE? TRUE or FALSE?
14. ________Changing one base letter on a mRNA codon 18. ________The mRNA codons GCU and GCC would share
will always change the amino acid it codes for. the same tRNA anticodon.
15. Why or why not? _______________________________ 19. Why or why not? _______________________________
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
TRUE or FALSE? 20. Stop codons can signal the end of a polypeptide. What
16. ________The mRNA codon UGG is the only codon that are the three stop codons?
codes for the amino acid tryptophan. ____________ ____________ ____________
TRUE or FALSE? 21. AUG is generally a start codon. What is the amino acid
17. ________ The mRNA codon UCU and AGU code for the that AUG codes for?
same amino acid. _________________________________________________
