DNA, RNA Protein Synthesis

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS / PROCESSES

• Demystifies the DNA/RNA connection in protein synthesis
• Replication, transcription and translation is modeled
• Experience how information stored in DNA is expressed as a finished protein

Demystify the DNA/RNA connection in protein synthesis. Following step-by-step directions, students will:

• Build and replicate an eight-rung DNA molecule
• Use half the DNA ladder to build mRNA (messenger RNA)
• Simulate mRNA movement by placing the mRNA on a ribosome
• Simulate translation by matching the mRNA and its codons to the tRNA (transfer RNA) and its anti-codons
• Disconnect the protein chain so the process can continue

The kit includes twelve packets of color-coded molecular model components.

Contents List

• 1 Teachers Guide
• 24 Student Worksheets and Guides, Part 1 & 2
• 12 Packages each containing:
• 36 white tubes
• 10 Adenine (orange tubes)
• 3 Amino acids with R group
• 8 Cytosine (blue tubes)
• 36 Deoxyribose sugars (black)
• 8 Guanine (yellow tubes)
• 18 Hydrogen bonds (white rods)
• 2 Peptide bonds (gray tubes)
• 9 Ribose sugars (purple)
• 1 Ribosome
• 10 Thymine (green tubes)
• 3 tRNA (purple)
• 5 Uracil (purple tubes)

Measurements are approximate.