Protein synthesis simulation

Today, we will turn the classroom into a working cell analogy!

Essential Question

How do tRNA and ribosomes work together to create a protein from an mRNA strand?

Our goals

Activity goal:As a group, you will build a

“protein.” (It will be something you can take home!)

Learning goal:To solidify our understanding of

protein synthesis through the simulation activity.

Norms

No one of us is as smart as all of us together.

Help other group members without doing their work for them.

Every member of the group must carry out their own role.

Multiple abilities needed for your group to be successful

Ask questions that clarify or push the science conversation deeper.

Apply your thinking to what really happens in a cell.

Follow detailed instructions.Ask group members to follow the safety

rules and procedures.Develop a work plan and follow it.Organize the information you collect.Reflect on the work done during the activity.

Productive Team Work

What I’m listening and looking for:Each group member is following

their own role.Each group member is

contributing to completing the task.

Each group member is following safety rules. (GOGGLES OVER YOUR EYES!)

Your Group Role (20)DNA

Strand #

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

mRNA Andreas Anne Steffy Shane Andrew

Josh Miles

tRNA Stephan Abby Roxy Mimi Athena Caitlin Beni

Small Ribosoma

lSubunit

Aaliyah Flor Ahera-khem

Jose Robin Hannah

Dani

Large Ribosomal Subunit

Roger Tim Keirstan

Conner Heather

Michele

Step 1 : Familiarize yourself with your role

Read your own role. Make sure you understand what you are doing.

(Wear your “nametags” after you read them!)

Complete your half-sheets.Build your protein.Clean up.Answer analysis questions in

COMPLETE SENTENCES in your lab notebook.

Step 2 : Familiarize your group with your role

Read out your role to your group members. Make sure they know what you are doing.

Wear your “nametag” after you’re done reading.

Stick to your role!tRNAs, mRNAs, and ribosomal

subunits all do different jobs. They can’t transform into each other.

Only ONE group member (tRNA) should be out of their seat retrieving materials.

mRNA should write down the translated instructions.

ProceduresFollow the instructions on the golden

rod sheet. Complete your half-sheets.Build your protein.Clean up.Answer analysis questions in

COMPLETE SENTENCES in your lab notebook.

Lab Tips

EVERYONE in the group should help decode the DNA and mRNA strands.

READ LABELS CAREFULLY! Some “amino acids” will be your measuring equipment, others will be substances to add into your measuring equipment.

Clean Up!

Rinse out all used materials.Return materials to counter

(threonine and phenylalanine).Ask me for plastic bags if you

want to take your protein home.mRNA: Return role cards and

Protein Synthesis Table to Ms. Lee.