Name __________________________________ Lab Number _____
Date ____________________
Introduction:
DNA is genetic material composed of nucleotides. These nucleotides spell out a sequence that forms
each individual’s unique genetic code. Through transcription, DNA is used to make messenger RNA,
and through translation this messenger RNA is used to make a protein. However, sometimes a
change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA can cause these processes to go wrong. In this activity
you will investigate a gene mutation, which is a change in one nucleotide. This can be a point
mutation, or a substitution, where one nucleotide is swapped for an incorrect nucleotide, or an
insertion or deletion of a nucleotide, causing a frameshift mutation. You will observe how these
changes affect how DNA is transcribed into mRNA and then translated into protein.
Materials:
Dice
Codon Chart
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. Transcribe the following DNA sequence into mRNA. Then translate the mRNA sequence into
amino acids. Use the codon chart attached to the back of this lab.
DNA G T T G C A G T A C T A
A U U
mRNA C A C G C A U G A
Amino Acid Glutamine Arginine Histidine Aspartic
2. Analyze the following two DNA sequences.
Sequence 1: GTT GCA GTA CTA
Sequence 2: GTT GAA GTA CTA
One letter is replaced
What is the difference between the two? ___________________________________________
Substitution mutation
What type of mutation is this? _______________________________
3. Now analyze these two DNA sequences:
Sequence 1: GTT GCA GTA CTA
Sequence 2: GTC TGC AGT ACT A
A letter was added
What is the difference between the two? __________________________________________
point mutation
What type of mutation is this? ______________________________
Procedure:
1. On the following page is a set of data tables. Under Trial 1, transcribe the original (not
mutated) DNA sequence into mRNA. Then, use the codon chart to translate the mRNA into
amino acids.
2. Obtain a six-sided dice from your lab table. Roll the dice to determine what type of mutation
will happen to your DNA strand. This mutation will happen at position FOUR. Follow the
instructions in the chart below. If you roll a 2, roll again. You cannot substitute a T, when
the original base is a T!
Number Rolled Corresponding Action
1 Substitute specified nucleotide with an A
2 Substitute specified nucleotide with a T
3 Substitute specified nucleotide with a C
4 Substitute specified nucleotide with a G
5 Delete the specified nucleotide
Insert a nucleotide immediately after the specified nucleotide. Roll the
6 dice again until you roll a 1-4, and use the instructions above to
determine which nucleotide will be inserted.
3. Complete the second data table listed under Trial 1. Rewrite the original DNA sequence, but
with one mutation at nucleotide FOUR.
4. Complete the mRNA sequence from the mutated DNA.
5. Translate the new mRNA sequence into amino acids using the codon chart.
6. Circle any amino acid differences from the original protein produced.
7. Repeat this activity for Trial 2. However, this time the mutation will occur at nucleotide SIX. If
you roll the same number you did for Trial 1, roll the dice again until you roll a different
mutation. If you roll a 3, roll again. You cannot substitute a C, when the original base is
a C!
Data Tables:
Trial 1: Mutation at BASE 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Original DNA C G A T T C C T G A T C
Original mRNA G C U A A G G A C U A G
Original Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Aspartic acid Stop
4 replace with a G
Number Rolled: ____ Corresponding Action: ____________________________
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A G T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U C A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Glutamine Aspartic Acid Stop
**Note: You will only have 13 bases if you have inserted a base. If you have deleted a base you will
only fill in 11 bases.
Trial 2: Mutation at BASE 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Original DNA C G A T T C C T G A T C
Original mRNA G C U A A G G A C U A G
Original Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Aspartic Acid Stop
2 replace with a T
Number Rolled: ____ Corresponding Action: ___________________________
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T T C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A A G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Aspartic Acid Stop
**Note: You will only have 13 bases if you have inserted a base. If you have deleted a base you will
only fill in 11 bases.
Conclusion Questions:
1. What is the significance in rolling the die to determine how to mutate the DNA?
It creates randomization.
2. What type of mutation did you have in Trial 1? What was the effect on the amino acid
sequence produced?
Substitution mutation, it changed one of the amino acids.
3. What type of mutation did you have in Trial 2? What was the effect on the amino acid
sequence produced?
It was a substitution mutation, it didn't change anything.
4. Compare the outcome of Trial 1 to the outcome of Trial 2. Which one had a more detrimental
effect on the amino acid sequence produced?
Trial 1
5. Is it possible to have a mutation in nucleotide four that would produce the same amino acid? If
yes, provide an example.
No, there is no sequence that ends in AG and still provides Lysine
6. Could any mutations have occurred in nucleotide six that would produce the same amino acid
as was produced from the original DNA sequence? If yes, provide an example.
Yes, When it went from AAG to AAA, it still produced Lysine.
