5A2 Genetic code and protein 24/01/2025

synthesis
Write the date and the title
STARTER: Complete the complementary strand.

CHALLENGE: How many amino acids does this DNA

strand code for?
 Self Assess in RED PEN

Complete the complementary strand.

CHALLENGE: How many amino acids does this DNA

strand code for?

8 amino acids
 Lesson Objectives:
Use the lesson objectives on pg. 5 to rate what you know
before the lesson

Student
Lesson Learning Objectives (from Syllabus)   
Book
3.17B Understand that an RNA
molecule is single stranded and
contains uracil (U) instead of thymine
The Genetic (T)
Code and 3.18B Describe the stages of protein 229-233
Protein synthesis including transcription and
Synthesis translation, including the role of
mRNA, ribosomes, tRNA, codons and
anticodons
 Recap from last lesson

Long strands of DNA consist of alternating sugar and

phosphate sections. Attached to each sugar is one of
four bases- A, C, G, or T. Each unit contains a sugar,
phosphate and base is known as a nucleotide.

A sequence of three bases is the code for a particular

amino acid.

In the complementary strand of DNA, a C is always

linked with a G on the opposite strand, and a T to an
A.
 Before we go through this
PPT
• [Link]
v=ubdoUqmNF98
Where do we find our DNA?
Nucleus

Where does
protein synthesis happen?
on ribosomes in the
cytoplasm (on the
endoplasmic
reticulum)
How does the coded information
get from the nucleus to the
DNA needs to stay in the nucleus, but since
protein synthesis takes place outside the
nucleus we need to copy the genetic code
first.
This is carried out by a different kind of
nucleic acid called ribonucleic acid (RNA)

There are two types of RNA that take part in

protein synthesis:

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Activity: Use your textbook pg. 230 to
explain the function of both mRNA and
tRNA
There are two types of RNA that take part in
protein synthesis:

Messenger RNA (mRNA) You have 3 mins:

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

End
 Self Assess in RED PEN

There are two types of RNA that take part in

protein synthesis:

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Forms a copy of the DNA code

Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Carries amino acids to the ribosome
to make protein
Protein synthesis takes place in 2 stages:

1. Transcription

2. Translation
Transcription happens in the nucleus. In a
chromosome, part of the DNA double helix
unwinds and unzips so that the two strands
separate, exposing the bases along the template
strand.
The building blocks of the mRNA are RNA
nucleotides.

They line up alongside the template strand

according to the complementary base-pairing
rules:
Activity: As I talk through the steps of
protein synthesis complete this part
of your booklet pg. 5
A template (mRNA) is made of the part of
the DNA that codes for a specific protein.
Each protein will have a different template.

mRNA

mRNA
The mRNA moves from the nucleus to the
cytoplasm of the cell.

mRNA
The mRNA attaches to the ribosome.

mRNA
tRNA molecules attach to the mRNA. Each set of
three bases is a code for one tRNA molecule.

The tRNA molecule is

attached to a specific
tRNA amino acid molecule.

The amino acids are

joined together to
form a protein.
The protein folds into its final shape, this
enables it to do its job.

tRNA

Some examples of protein jobs are enzymes,

hormones, or structural proteins such as
collagen.
Activity: Use the statements below to label the
diagram in your booklets
nucleus
mRNA
on DNA tRNA
ribosom
mRNA leaves Amin
e
the nucleus o acid

amino acids join

together to form
protein

tRNA molecules
attach to mRNA in
order given by DNA

ribosome
 Self Assess in RED PEN

H
B mRN
AJ
A
tRNA I

tRNA
D
mRNA
mRN
E
F A

mRN
G
A
 Non-Coding DNA

Not all parts of the DNA code for protein.

In fact, only around 1% of our genome is

protein coding!

When a gene is used as a template to

synthesise a protein in a cell, we say the gene
is expressed.
Not all genes are expressed at all times, or in
all cells.

Some of the non-coding DNA in our genome is

there to turn genes on or off. In this way, it
regulates the expression of genes.
 Quick Quiz

Hold up your fingers to show

which answer you think is
correct
 Quick Quiz
Question 1/14

In which part of an animal cell are the chromosomes found?

A. cell membrane

B. cytoplasm

C. nucleus
C. nucleus

D. ribosome
 Quick Quiz
Question 2/14

What is a gene?

A. a dominant allele

B. a small section of DNA on a chromosome

B. a small section of DNA on a chromosome

C. the outward appearance of alleles

D. the process of ell division

 Quick Quiz
Question 3/14

What shape is a DNA molecule?

A. double bond

B. double helix
B. double helix

C. lattice

D. single strand
 Quick Quiz
Question 4/14

What is meant by the term ‘genome’?

A. how many times a cell divides

B. the entire
B. the entire genetic
genetic material
material of
of the
the organism
organism

C. the number of chromosomes in each cell

D. whether an allele is dominant or recessive

 Quick Quiz
Question 5/14

How does the number of chromosomes in a gamete

compare to the number in a regular body cell?

A. half as
A. half as many
many

B. the same amount

C. three times as many

D. twice as many
 Quick Quiz
Question 6/14

What are the four bases found in DNA molecules?

A. A, B, G and T

B. A, C, G and T
B. A, C, G and T

C. A, C, G and U

D. A, C, P and T
 Quick Quiz
Question 7/14

What is the name given to one of the repeating units

found within a strand of DNA?

A. nucleoid

B. nucleolus

C.
C. nucleotide
nucleotide

D. nucleus
 Quick Quiz
Question 8/14

How many bases code for each amino acid?

A. 1

B. 3
B. 3

C. 5

D. 7
 Quick Quiz
Question 9/14

Which cell organelle produces proteins?

A. cytoplasm

B. lysosome

C. mitochondria

D.
D. ribosome
ribosome
 Quick Quiz
Question 10/14

Which of the following represents a complementary pairing of

bases in DNA molecules?

A. A and C

B.
B. A
A and
and T
T

C. C and T

D. G and A
 Quick Quiz
Question 11/14

Which of the following can be formed by folding a completed

chain of proteins?

A. amino acids

B.
B. hormones
hormones

C. lipids

D. sugars
 Quick Quiz
Question 12/14

Which of the following is true about non-coding DNA?

A. it can switch genes on and off

A. it can switch genes on and off

B. it causes genetic mutations

C. it does not affect how genes are expressed

D. it only contains two bases

 Quick Quiz
Question 13/14

Which of the following is not true about protein synthesis?

A. amino acids are added in a specific order

B. a template is used to create the protein

C. carrier molecules bring random amino acids to add to the protein

C. carrier molecules bring random amino acids to add to the

protein

D. completed protein chains fold to form a unique shape

 Quick Quiz
Question 14/14

Which of these is a structural component of a DNA molecule?

A. amino acid

B. chromosome

C. genome

D.
D. phosphate
phosphate group
group
 Activity: Complete page 6 of your booklet

You have 10 mins:

CHALLENGE: Complete the Exam practice questions

on page 7 of your booklet.
 Self Assess in RED PEN

sugar
G
nucleotide
three
protein
tRNA
nucleotide

phosphate
bas
e

sugar
 Self Assess in RED PEN

T G G C A A T

1. mRNA is made from the gene in the process of

translation
2. The mRNA leaves the nucleus and joins to a ribosome
in the cytoplasm
3. tRNA carries the Amino acids which are brought to the
mRNA
4. Each three bases code for one amino acid
5. The amino acids are joined together to form
polypeptides/ protein chain
6. The protein chain folds up to form a protein with a
Self Assess in RED PEN
Self Assess in RED PEN
Self Assess in RED PEN
 Plenary: Triangle 28/04/14

Complete the all questions in this learning triangl

I am
able to…

The A key
key Idea word I can
I need to
explain is
understand is…
____. It means…