Name: _____________________________________ Date: ___________ Hour: ________

Central Dogma: Discovery Activity

Each time your group comes to a raise your hand for your teacher’s initials.

Background:
The central dogma of biology explains that the order of nucleotides in DNA provides the blueprint to create
messenger RNA. Messenger RNA then moves outside the nucleus and is translated into proteins which function
in a multitude of ways throughout the body. Because proteins are so vital their precise creation is one of the
cells most important jobs. Students will practice replication, transcription, and translation to better understand
the central dogma.

Diagram 1*: DNA vs. RNA

Nitrogen Bases
Nitrogen Bases
= Adenine

= Guanine

= Uracil

= Cytosine

= Phosphate
Backbone

DNA RNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ribonucleic Acid

Background:
DNA and RNA are both molecules which are used for storage of genetic information and are assembled using
nucleotides. DNA is always found in the nucleus of the cell while the RNA is able to travel from the nucleus
(where it is assembled) to the cytoplasm of the cell. DNA is passed from parents to offspring while RNA has
been created in the cell on an “as needed” basis.

1. What 4 Nitrogen bases are present in DNA?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

*Diagram 1-B attributed to TransControl - http://

en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify
-clip Edited by K. Belcher
2. What 4 Nitrogen bases are present in RNA?
________________________________________________________________________________________

3. In RNA the base ____________________ takes the place of the DNA base _____________________.

4. What is one other structural difference you notice between DNA and RNA? __________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Who do you get your DNA from and what information does it carry? _______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

6. DNA is so important to the cell that is never leaves the ___________________________________________.

7. After RNA is used it will be degraded (broken down) in the cytoplasm. Compare and contrast how the cell
maintains DNA as opposed to RNA: ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Infer why DNA is treated as more crucial to your cells than RNA. __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Diagram 2*: Types of RNA

aa

rRNA tRNA mRNA

*Diagram 2 A is attributed to Vossman via https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Ribosome_shape.png

*Diagram 2 B is attributed to Yikrazuul via [[File:TRNA-Phe yeast 1ehz.png| TRNA-Phe yeast 1ehz]]. Edited by K.Belcher.
*Diagram 2 C is attributed to Thomas Splettetoesser via wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_classification #/media/File:Virus
BaltimoreClassification.svg Edited by K.Belcher
Background:
There are 3 different types of RNA. The 3 types of RNA are ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA) and
messenger RNA (mRNA).

9. Which type of RNA looks most like DNA? ___________________________________________________

10. Draw that RNA below. Label the phosphate/sugar backbone. Label one nitrogen base. (Remember this
is the same as the RNA in Diagram 1, just horizontal)

11. After analyzing the structure of each type of RNA match them up with their most likely job:
A. Carries amino acids around the cell in order to make proteins________________________________
B. Serves as the location of protein building. ____________________________
C. Copies a portion of DNA and carries the information out of the nucleus_______________________

Background:
During the process of transcription specific genes on the DNA are transcribed into RNA. RNA is a temporary,
mobile version of the information stored in the DNA.

Diagram 3*: Transcription

DNA

RNA
polymerase

mRNA

12. Where is the process in Diagram 3 taking place? (hint: notice DNA is present) _______________________

13. Label these transcription steps in the order that would make the most sense to you (1,2,3).
________Messenger RNA leaves the nucleus with a copy of DNA information
________ RNA polymerase opens up the DNA and begins copying
________ A single stranded messenger RNA strand has been formed

14. Messenger RNA is serving as a temporary copy of DNA which will be read to make proteins. Messenger
RNA is necessary because _______________ cannot leave the _____________________.

15. Below is a DNA strand that represents one gene. Transcribe the DNA into mRNA. Remember that in RNA
uracil has replaced thymine.

A G G C C A C T C G C A C C T A T T : DNA
_________________________________ : mRNA
*Diagram 2 attributed to Forluvoft: common
s.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_transcription_el
ongation1.svg . Edited by K.Belcher
Background:
Once it is transcribed the mRNA will leave the nucleus and attach to a ribosomal RNA molecule in the
cytoplasm. Here it will be translated into proteins. In order for the mRNA to be translated it has to be “read” 3
nucleotides at a time like small words in a sentence. Each 3 nucleotides in an mRNA strand make up one codon.

16. Using the above mRNA strand, copy it below as it would be in codon form.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ___ __

17. How many codons made up that mRNA strand? ___________

18. How many nucleotides does each codon consist of? ____________

Diagram 4: Translation
Growing protein chain CYTOPLASM

mRNA

19. Above is an image of translation. On what organelle is this taking place? ____________________________

20. What molecule is responsible for transporting amino acids to the growing protein chain? _______________

21. After the transfer RNA drop off their amino acid they are considered “empty”. Infer what that empty tRNA
might do next in order to keep translation operating. _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Looking at the mRNA strand above, write the codons shown:

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

*Diagram 4 attributed to Boumphreyfr

via.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Pe
ptide_syn.png Edited by K. Belcher
23. Looking at the growing protein chain in the image above, write the abbreviation for each amino acid that
each codon coded for:

UGG AAA GAU UUC : codon

_________ __________ _________ __________ amino acid

24. Based on Diagram 4 and the questions you’ve answered above, describe the responsibilities of tRNA during
translation. Make sure to include how it is interacting with mRNA, codons, and amino acids.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Background:
During translation the ribosome moves along the mRNA strand so each codon can be read. The ribosome and
the tRNA work together to match each codon with its corresponding amino acid. The tRNA transfers the
corresponding amino acid to the site of the growing protein chain. When the tRNA has released its amino acid
it leaves to pick up another. There are 20 different amino acids each attached to specific tRNA molecules.

Diagram 5: Amino Acid Wheel

25. Using Diagram 5 we can determine what amino acids are being “coded for” by the mRNA. Use the chart to
find out what the codon AUG codes for. ________________________.
26. AUG is a “start” codon meaning translation starts when that codon is read. Translation ceases when a “stop”
codon is reached. Using Diagram 5 determine what the 3 stop codons are ( ).
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

27. Look up the amino acid that corresponds to the rest of the codons.
AUG UUC AAA CCU ACC UGA : mRNA
_______ ______ _______ ________ _______ _________ : amino acid
(makes one protein)

Diagram 6*: Central Dogma

28. Use Diagram 6 to help you fill in the blanks below.

REPLICATION starts with _________________________ and produces ________________________.

TRANSCRIPTION starts with ______________________ and produces ________________________.

TRANSLATION (protein synthesis) starts with __________________ and produces. ____________________.

*Diagram 6 attributed to: Dhorspool

en.wikipedia Edited by K.Belcher
29. In Diagram 6, you’ll notice DNA replication shows a circular arrow while transcription and translation show
a one-way arrow. Infer what this might mean how DNA, RNA and proteins are made.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

30. Add the location of each of the processes to Diagram 6.

31. Why do all of the processes in Diagram 6 happen? (what is the overall goal)? ________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

32. Put it all together. First replicate the DNA, then transcribe it into RNA, then translate the RNA into proteins.

REPLICATION: DNA to DNA: Base pair with DNA bases

T A G C G C G T A G C T A G C A T T : DNA
__________________________________: DNA

TRANSCRIPTION: DNA to mRNA: Base pair with RNA bases

T A G C G C G T A G C T A G C A T T : DNA
__________________________________: mRNA

TRANSLATION: mRNA to Proteins: write each 3 base codon

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ : mRNA codon

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ :amino acids (protein)

KEY

1. Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine

2. Adenine, Guanine, Uracil, Cytosine
3. Uracil, Thymine
4. DNA is a double stranded molecule while RNA is single stranded.
5. You receive your DNA from your parents. It contains all of your genetic information.
6. Nucleus.
7. RNA is a temporary molecule that is only made on an as needed basis and after it is used it gets broken
down. In contrast, DNA is always present in the nucleus and is never broken down. DNA is also passed
on to your offspring while RNA is not.
8. DNA holds all of your genetic information and if it is changed (mutated) there could be devastating
consequences. RNA is made on a more temporary basis and will not have the same level of effects if it
is compromised.
9. mRNA
10. Students should draw the mRNA strand and label the backbone and one nitrogen base.
11. A. tRNA B. rRNA C. mRNA
12. Nucleus
13. 3,2,1
14. DNA, nucleus
15. UCCGGUGAGCGUGGAUAA
16. UCC GGU GAG CGU GGA UAA
17. 6
18. 3
19. Ribosome
20. tRNA
21. The tRNA molecule will go pick up another amino acid and bring it back to the growing protein chain.
22. UGG AAA GAU UUC
23. Trp Cys Asp Phe
24. The tRNA molecule reads the mRNA strand and brings over the matching amino acid. The mRNA is
read a codon at a time which is made up of 3 nucleotides.
25. Met
26. UAA UAG UGA
27. Met (start) Phe Lys Pro Thr Stop
 28. DNA, DNA DNA, RNA RNA, protein
29. DNA makes more DNA through replication and can do this continuously as the cell divides. RNA relies
on a message from DNA before it is made and proteins rely on RNA. Neither RNA or proteins are self-
replicating.
30. Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Cytoplasm
31. All of the processes happen to eventually make specific proteins. They are vital to the proper
functioning of an organism.
32. ATGGCGCATCGATCGTAA
AUGGCGCAUCGAUCGUAA
Met Ala His Arg Ser Stop

Teacher Notes:
Thank you for your purchase!
This activity is designed as “guided inquiry” meaning students don’t need to have been taught this information
in advance. Students do need to know the basics of DNA and DNA replication before starting the activity but
they should learn the types of RNA, transcription and translation during the activity. I have included stars
throughout the activity that require the students to raise their hand for your approval. I usually use that time to
quickly skim the students’ previous work and have a conversation with them about what they’ve learned.
Students can work in groups of 3 or 4 so circulating around the room and informally assessing them is easily
done. Some groups do have to wait for me to come initial their paper but usually not long.

You’ll notice some of the Diagrams have a“*” next to them. That is because I did not personally create these
images and wanted to give credit to the authors which you will see at the bottom of the page. I know this
activity is very long in terms of page length.

Lastly, question #25 asks students to read the protein wheel with no previous information on how this is done. I
know it seems like they won’t get it but when put in groups of 3 or 4 they almost always figure out how to read
the chart without my help. They are then able to teach each other! If your students do this in groups and you do
check off each star and have short discussions with the kids it should take about 40-55 minutes depending on
the class.

Let me know at useyourbrainbiology@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns! Please come back to
my store for more carefully thought-out, thorough lessons that challenge students and make good use of your
class time. Enjoy!