Part of Lesson Plan: DNA Translation and Transcription

Activity Overview / Details

Summary of Content:

  The three letter sequence of DNA is transcribed into RNA and then is translated into a protein made up of several amino acids.  Today we will learn how to transcribe and translate the DNA just as we translated our TEXT Messages.  By learning the sequence and Amino Acids that they code for we can better understand how the DNA communicates with our bodies and other cells.

 In the Nucleus DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), that mRNA travels out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm where it is translated into a sequence of Amino Acids in the Ribosomes.  These amino acids are then linked to create the proteins that allow for our bodies to grow, change color, etc…

Museum Tour (e-moment)

Students will "tour" the “museum” poster pages will depict the action and location of transcription and translation with in the cell.  Poster representation will be Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Ribosome.

 " Welcome to the Museum of modern cells, around the room you will see some very fine artwork created by the finest artists to grace canvas.  The portraits are of cells, your cell, an animal cell, or even possibly a plant cell.  Within the artwork you will find the processes of protein synthesis, but each piece of art will only have one piece of the whole protein production process.  Your goal is to find all of the artwork, examine it for its substance, paying little attention to the quality, but there content.  "

 " When I say Boomba, you will quickly move with your groups to your corresponding portraits.  Group one where will you go?  Group two?  Three?  As you arrive at your portrait quietly await your next direction.  What questions are there?"

You must predetermine the groups and which poster they are going to.

 " BOOMBA!"

 " Remember, that museums are quiet places of self reflection, so quietly peruse the works.  You will have 1 minute to look over each piece, you will move quickly to the right when you hear boomba until we have seen all the artworks.  What can I clarify for you?"

  To recap time at each portrait is? (1 Minute)

 " BOOMBA." Let one minute elapse

 " BOOMBA"  Let another minute elapse

 " BOOMBA"  Final minute for observation

 " When you hearBOOMBA again move back to you desk and review in your mind the portraits that you see.

  Boomba!"