DNA and protein modeling
Mon, Oct 26, 2026 · Week 10 · Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Today's goal: Model transcription and translation following an SOP and predict what a mutation would do to the protein.
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Lab notebook entry (a practice template, not today's strand):
- Original DNA template (3'-5'): T A C A C C G A G A T T
- mRNA (5'-3'): A U G U G G C U C U A A
- Start codon marked: AUG, with every codon bracketed from there before any lookup.
- Amino acids (codon chart): Met (AUG, start) - Trp (UGG) - Leu (CUC) - stop (UAA, no amino acid)
- Prediction: if one base in the UGG codon changed, the chain would get a different second amino acid, or end early if the new codon were a stop codon (UGA or UAG). UGG is the only codon for Trp, so no change there can be silent. The runs on the Analyze the mutation day test this.
- Limitation: the model shows the amino acid sequence but cannot show how the protein folds in 3D, so it cannot show what the chain does.
| Molecule | Sequence |
|---|---|
| DNA template (3' to 5') | TAC ACC GAG ATT |
| mRNA (5' to 3') | AUG UGG CUC UAA |
| Amino acids | Met Trp Leu (stop) |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: A lab notebook entry showing the original DNA template, the mRNA, the marked start codon, the amino acid sequence with codon-chart citations, a one-sentence prediction of what a single changed base could do, and one model limitation.
- State the question and method.
- Present the observations and data with units.
- Explain the result, limitations, and next investigation.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Photograph your notebook entry and submit it as one PDF to Schoology assignment for this lesson in Schoology before leaving class.
Turn in: Lab notebook entry: original DNA template strand, mRNA transcription, original amino acid sequence (with codon chart citations), your one-sentence prediction of what a base change would do, and one model limitation.
Go to Schoology to turn this in.
Submit one PDF. Schoology attaches your name to your upload; on the page itself, write your period and code. Name the file: FirstName LastName - Assignment Title - YYYY-MM-DD.pdf.
Open Schoology PDF upload helpIf you cannot get in, see Mr. Mendoza. Do not skip the work.
Claim ceiling: Today's evidence supports a classroom claim about today's lesson. It cannot prove causation, diagnose a real patient, or justify action outside this room.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Classifying a point mutation as silent, missense, or nonsense.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.