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DNA Coloring - Transcription & Translation
Transcription
RNA, Ribonucleic Acid is very similar to DNA. RNA normally exists as a single strand (and not the
double stranded double helix of DNA). It contains the same bases, adenine, guanine and cytosine.
However, there is no thymine found in RNA, instead there is a similar compound called uracil.
Transcription is the process by which RNA is made from DNA. It occurs in the nucleus. Label the box
with the x in it near the nucleus with the word TRANSCRIPTION and proceed to color the bases
according to the key below
Thymine = orange Adenine = dark green Guanine = purple
Cytosine = yellow Uracil = brown
Color the strand of DNA dark blue (D) and the strand of RNA light blue (R). Color the nuclear
membrane (E) gray.
Translation
Translation occurs in the cytoplasm, specifically on the ribosomes. The mRNA made in the nucleus
travels out to the ribosome to carry the message of the DNA. Here at the ribosome, that message will
be translated into an amino acid sequence. Color the ribosome light green (Y) and note how the RNA
strand threads through the ribsosome like a tape measure and the amino acids are assembled. The
RNA strand in the translation area should also be colored light blue, as it was colored in the nucleus.
Label the box with the X in the translation area with the word TRANSLATION.
Important to the process of translation is another type of RNA called Transfer RNA (F) which function
to carry the amino acids to the site of protein synthesis on the ribosome. Color the tRNA red.
A tRNA has two important areas. The anticodon, which matches the codon on the RNA strand.
Remember that codons are sets of three bases that code for a single amino acid. Make sure you color
the bases of the anticodon the same color as the bases on your DNA and RNA strand - they are the
same molecules!
At the top of the tRNA is the amino acids. There are twenty amino acids that can combine together to
form proteins of all kinds, these are the proteins that are used in life processes. When you digest your
food for instance, you are using enzymes that were originally proteins that were assembled from
amino acids. Each tRNA has a different amino acid which link together like box cars on a train. Color
all the amino acids (M) pink.