Biology 12

Protein Synthesis & Mutations Question Package

1. An error occurred when DNA was being transcribed to mRNA and the sixth nucleotide was left
out by accident on the mRNA strand.

a) What kind of genetic mutation is this? ________________________________

b) What is the result of this type of mutation?








2. An error occurred when DNA was being transcribed to mRNA. The original DNA sequence was
TAC GGA ACA and a G was placed in the sixth nucleotide position instead of an A. HINT: you
must convert the DNA sequence to a mRNA sequence in order to read the codon chart.

a) What kind of genetic mutation is this? _________________________________

b) What is the result of this type of mutation?












3. What happens when a nonsense mutation occurs in DNA?








4. Can an amino acid have more than one codon? Explain.




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5. Can a codon have more than one amino acid? Explain.







6. Add the following labels to the diagram below:

peptide bond, dipeptide, ribosome, incoming tRNA-amino acid complex, outgoing empty tRNA,
amino acid, anticodon, codon

7. List the steps involved in transcription?


















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8. Explain the 3 main steps involved in the translation of a protein. Use clear point form.

Step 1: ____________________________








Step 2: ____________________________









Step 3: ________________________





9. Complete the following chart:

Template
strand of DNA
TAC AAA TTT CGC ATT
mRNA (codons)
tRNA
(anticodons)

Amino acid
sequence











Biology 12


Protein Synthesis & Mutations Question Package Key


1. An error occurred when DNA was being transcribed to mRNA and the sixth nucleotide
was left out by accident on the mRNA strand.

a) What kind of genetic mutation is this? FRAMESHIFT DELETION

b) What is the result of this type of mutation?

A completely non-functional protein because the sequence of codons is changed
and no longer is the correct set of instructions for the original protein being
made.


2. An error occurred when DNA was being transcribed to mRNA. The original DNA sequence
was TAC GGA ACA and a G was placed in the sixth nucleotide position instead of an A.

a) What kind of genetic mutation is this? POINT MUTATION

b) What is the result of this type of mutation?

DNA TAC GGG etc
mRNA AUG CCC instead of AUG CCU, but CCU and CCC both code for
Proline, so this is a SILENT MUTATION


3. What happens when a nonsense mutation occurs in DNA?

- A nonsense mutation is when a codon is changed to a stop codon and protein
synthesis stops before the protein is completed






4. Can an amino acid have more than one codon? Explain.

Yes. According to the table there are multiple codons for some amino acids.
E.g. AGA and AGG both code for arginine
E.g. CCU, CUC, CUA, CUG all code for leucine

** The only amino acid which has one codon is methionine (start codon)



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5. Can a codon have more than one amino acid? Explain.

NO. Every codon codes for one and only one amino acid, or STOP codon.



6. Add the following labels to the diagram below:

peptide bond, dipeptide, ribosome, incoming tRNA-amino acid complex, outgoing empty tRNA,
amino acid, anticodon, codon

7. List the steps involved in transcription.

RNA polymerase identifies the TATA box (promoter site) on the DNA and unwinds a section
of the DNA
Free floating complementary RNA nucleotides bond with one strand of the open section of
DNA until the RNA polymerase reaches the termination site (end of the gene)
mRNA breaks free of the DNA and travels out to the cytoplasm

8. Explain the 3 main steps involved in the translation of a protein. Use clear point form.

Step 1: Initiation

A small ribosomal subunit attaches to the mRNA molecule at the site of
the start codon (AUG).
The first tRNA pairs with the start codon.
Then a large ribosomal subunit joins to the small subunit to form a
functional ribosome.



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Step 2: Elongation

The polypeptide chain lengthens one amino acid at a time.
An incoming tRNA-amino acid complex bonds to its matching codon on
mRNA
The amino acid carried by the first tRNA-amino acid complex is passed to
the amino acid of the incoming tRNA and forms a peptide bond creating
the beginning of a polypeptide chain.
The empty tRNA then detaches off of the mRNA and goes back into the
cytoplasm to pick up another amino acid.
This process repeats over and over.

Step 3: Termination

The polypeptide chain continues to grow until a STOP or termination
codon is reached on the mRNA.
Instead of carrying an amino acid, the tRNA with the correct anitcodon for
the STOP codon on mRNA carries a release factor which cuts the
polypeptide chain from the last tRNA.
The ribosome and mRNA then break apart and are recycled until another
protein is needed.


9. Complete the following chart:

Template
strand of DNA
TAC AAA TTT CGC ATT
mRNA (codons) AUG UUU AAA GCG UAA
tRNA
(anticodons)
UAC AAA UUU CGC AUU
Amino acid
sequence
Methionine Phenyl Alanine Lysine Alanine -
Stop