Transcribe and Translate a Gene with Learn.Genetics

DIRECTIONS: Scroll down the page and read the paragraphs of overview information. The first 6 multiple choice questions are based on reading the page. After you've answered the first 6 questions, go through the interactive activity at the top of the webpage.

QUESTION: What are the two steps needed to read the gene and produce the protein?

• Replication and Mitosis

• Transcription and Replication

• Translation and Mitosis

• Transcription and Translation

Which molecule is single-stranded?

• DNA

• mRNA

What is the first step in reading a gene?

• Replication

• Mutation

• Transcription

• Translation

How many genes are in the human genome?

• 100,000

• 50,000

• 10,000

• 21,000

What is the function of a gene?

• Destroys viruses

• Replicates cells

• Stores energy

• Encodes a protein

What is the Universal Genetic Code used for?

• Storing genetic information

• Replicating DNA

• Destroying harmful cells

• Translating genes into proteins

DIRECTIONS: "Click to START" the interactive activity at the top of the webpage. Watch the brief video, then answer the question.

QUESTION: Reorder the following to match the flow of information that is central to life:

• mRNA

• Protein

• DNA

DIRECTIONS: After watching the 39 second video, you should see the message "Choose a Gene to Begin." Hover over the blue material on the screen to see 3 options for genes. Click on one of them. Watch the brief video, then transcribe the gene by clicking on the complementary letters. If the DNA has a C, you match it with a G.

QUESTION: Match the DNA bases to their complementary letters of RNA below.

• A

• A

• G

• T

• U

• C

• C

• G

DIRECTIONS: After you finish transcribing the gene, you'll see a short video about translation, and then get to practice the process of translation. Answer this question after watching the video:

QUESTION: tRNA carries an anticodon and what else?

• A gene

• A codon

• The mRNA

• An amino acid

What protein did you end with after completing translation? You can either write the name or describe the job that was shown in the video after translation was done.