Central Dogma Activity

Name: ______________________________________ Date Performed: _________________
Section: __________ Date Submitted: _________________
Activity
CREATING AN ORGANISM THROUGH THE CENTRAL DOGMA
I. Introduction
Protein synthesis is the process wherein polypeptides, consisting of amino acids, are formed. This process
involves nucleic acids which serve as templates or patterns. A gene, or a segment of DNA that codes for a specific
polypeptide or protein, is transcribed to form mRNA. Before leaving the nucleus, mRNA is spliced to remove the
intervening, non-coding sequences (introns). Afterward, the codons on the mRNA are translated into their respective
amino acids through the action of ribosomes and tRNA. The resulting amino acids form peptide bonds with each other to
form a polypeptide which forms the protein.
In this activity, you will learn more about the process of protein synthesis and the importance of proteins by
simulating the process. Given a hypothetical gene, you can derive the transcribed mRNA and translate the mRNA codons
into the amino acid sequence that will form the protein and, consequently, the corresponding trait.
II. Objectives
After the activity, you should be able to
• Identify the sequence of amino acids through a given DNA sequence
• Explain the role of DNA and RNA in the production of proteins
• Discuss the relationship/importance of DNA, RNA and proteins to/in the formation of traits of an
organism
III. Materials and Equipment
A copy of the genetic code, pencil, crayons or any coloring material, and your imagination
IV. Procedure
1. Complete the necessary information for the hypothetical Genes A to F by providing

(a) the base sequences of the lagging strand complementary to the given leading strand sequence
(b) the base sequences for the transcribed mRNA and sequence the corresponding tRNA;
(c) the amino acid sequence for each gene by translating the codons on the transcribed mRNA; and
(d) the hypothetical trait corresponding to the amino acid sequence coded for by the hypothetical gene, using the
information from the provided List of Hypothetical Traits.
2. Fill-up Table 1 by providing the necessary information.
3. Draw the resulting hypothetical or imaginary organism that would exhibit all of the hypothetical traits derived from the
hypothetical Genes A to F. Use your imagination in drawing and coloring your imaginary organism.
List of Hypothetical Traits

Amino Acid Sequence Traits
Cys-Tyr-Met-Cys-Asn Straight hair
Cys-Tyr-Met-Leu-Asn Curly hair
Cys-Asn-Gly-Thr-Phe Red hair
Cys-Asp-Gly-Thr-His Green hair
Thr-Pro-Arg-Ser-Phe-Phe Tall
Thr-Pro-Arg-Tyr-Phe-Tyr Short
Ala-Glu-Tyr Big eyes
Ala-Glu-Leu Small eyes
Ile-Leu-Ile-Cys-Trp Long tail
Ile-Leu-Cys-Trp-Thr Short tail
Asn-Cys-Met-Leu-Cys Brown skin
Asn-Cys-Met-Ile-Val Yellow skin
Ser-Arg-Trp-Cys Male
Ser-Pro-Leu-Cys Female
V. Data
GENE A
DNA (leading strand): 5’ AGTCGTTGGTGT 3’
DNA (lagging strand): __________________________
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Amino acid sequence: _________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
GENE B
DNA (leading strand): 5’ AACTGCATGATTGTA 3’
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
GENE C
DNA (leading strand): 5’ GCAGAATAT 3’
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
GENE D
DNA (leading strand): 5’ TGCGATGGAACACAC 3’
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
GENE E
DNA (leading strand): 5’ TGTTACATGCTAAAT 3’
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
GENE F
DNA (leading strand): 5’ ATTTTAATATGTTGG 3’
mRNA: _____________________________________
tRNA: ______________________________________
Trait: _______________________________________
VI. Results
Table 1:
Traits Exhibited by Imaginary Organism
Hypothetical Gene Hypothetical Trait
A
B
C
D
E
F
Illustration:
The Imaginary Organism
VII. Questions for Discussion
1. What role does DNA play in the synthesis of proteins? What role(s) does RNA play?
2. How is the process of protein synthesis related in the formation of traits of an organism? You may use your imaginary
organism as an example.
3. Given a particular trait from the list above, can you determine the DNA sequence of the gene for that trait? How?
VIII. Generalization
Briefly discuss the relationship between/among DNA, RNA, and proteins and how important they are in the formation of
traits in an organism.

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Name: ______________________ Date Performed: _

Section: Date Submitted: _______

III. Materials and Equipment

1. Complete the necessary information for the hypothetical Genes A to F by providing

2. Fill-up Table 1 by providing the necessary information.

List of Hypothetical Traits

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