Protein synthesis simulation

1. Protein synthesis simulation Today, we will turn the classroom into a working cell analogy!

2. Essential Question • How do we make a protein from DNA?

3. Our goals • Activity goal: • As a group, you will build a “protein.” (It will be something you can take home!) • Learning goal: • To understand how protein synthesis works.

4. 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.

5. Multiple abilities needed for your group to be successful • Ask questions that make your group members think more deeply about the science. • Connect the activity to what really happens in a cell. • Follow detailed instructions and catch mistakes. • Develop a work plan. • Organize your group so that your group can follow the work plan. • Make sure that all group members get a chance to contribute their thoughts. • Ask clarifying questions. • Reflect on the work done during the activity.

6. Productive Team Work What we’re 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!)

7. Your Group Role (10) *RM = mRNA TM = tRNA Recorder = Small Ribo- Facilitator = Large Ribo-

8. Step 1 : Familiarize yourself with your role • Read your own role. Make sure you understand what you are doing.

9. 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.

10. Stick to your role! • tRNAs, mRNAs, and ribosomal subunits all do different jobs in the cell. They can’t transform into each other. • Ex) Only ONE group member (tRNA) should be out of their seat retrieving materials.

11. Procedures • Follow the instructions. • You will probably complete up to step #5 today. Tomorrow… • Build your protein. • Clean up. • Answer analysis questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES and hand in.

12. Day 2 • Remember our essential question?

13. Essential Question • How do we make a protein from DNA?

14. Day 2 • Remember our essential question. • Remember our goals?

15. Our goals • Activity goal: • As a group, you will build a “protein.” (It will be something you can take home!) • Learning goal: • To understand how protein synthesis works.

16. Day 2 • Remember our essential question & goals. • Finish translation (step #5). • Build your protein, using your translated instructions. • Clean up! • Answer analysis questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES and hand in.

17. 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.

18. Clean Up! • Rinse out all used materials. • Return materials to counter (threonine and phenylalanine). • Ask for plastic bags if you want to take your protein home. • mRNA: Return role cards and Protein Synthesis Table to demo desk.