DNA and protein modeling
Wed, Oct 21, 2026 · Week 9 · Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Today's goal: Model transcription and translation following an SOP and introduce a mutation to observe its effect.
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 (Patient A gene model):
- Original DNA template (3'-5'): T A C A C C G A G
- mRNA (5'-3'): A U G U G G C U C
- Original amino acids (codon chart): Met (AUG, start) - Trp (UGG) - Leu (CUC)
- Point mutation introduced: DNA template ACC changed to ACA, so mRNA UGG becomes UGU
- Mutated amino acids: Met - Cys (UGU) - Leu
- Mutation type: missense. Justification: one base changed, which changed one codon, which changed one amino acid (Trp to Cys) without making a stop codon.
- Limitation: the model shows the amino acid sequence but cannot show how the protein folds in 3D, so it cannot prove how much function is lost.
| Version | mRNA codons | Amino acids |
|---|---|---|
| Original | AUG UGG CUC | Met Trp Leu |
| Mutated | AUG UGU CUC | Met Cys Leu |
| Change | UGG to UGU | Trp to Cys (missense) |
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: A lab notebook entry showing the original DNA template, the mRNA, the original amino acid sequence with codon-chart citations, the mutated sequence, the mutation type with justification, 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 the notebook entry and upload to the tracker before leaving class.
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.