Nice Looking Genes!

Introduction
Why do we resemble our parents? How do viruses hijack cells? How does a single cell
grow into a whole human? Why are some diseases more common in some races than in
others? Genetics aims to find the answers. A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of
heredity. Genes, which are made up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called
proteins. The Human Genome Project has estimated that humans have between 20,000 and
25,000 genes. Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent.
Most genes are the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 percent of the
total) are slightly different between people. Alleles are forms of the same gene with small
differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each
persons unique physical features.

Activity # 1 Express that Genes!

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. Understand the concept of Central Dogma of Biology
b. Explain the process between Transcription and Translation
c. Identify the parts in the process of Transcription and Translation

Materials:

Computer (with Installed PhET)

1 Bond paper

1 whole sheet of paper

Pen

Procedure:

1. Open PhET Simulations in the desktop.

2. Click the play with sims...>.

3. On the left side, click Biology.

4. Then find Gene Expressions The basics. And click Run Now!.

5. Once opened, Grab Positive Transcription Factor (located in the Biomolecule

Toolbox) and place it in the DNA. Make sure to place the Positive Transcription
Factor in the accurate spot.

* Examine the piece of DNA that runs across the screen. What are the 2 parts of
Gene 1?
_____________________________ and ____________________________

* Where does the positive

______________________

transcription

6. Grab one of the RNA polymerase and place it in the DNA. Again, make sure to
place the RNA polymerase in the accurate spot. Then observe what happens. (Write
your observations on a sheet of paper.)

*What
do
you
call
the
_________________________

*Where does it take place in the cell? _________________________

7. Click one of the Ribosome and attached it with mRNA. Then Grab its product in the
collection box.

*What
do
you
call
the
_________________________

*Where does it take place in the cell? _________________________

*What
is
the
product
_______________________

8. Repeat procedures from number 6 to 7 with the other RNA polymerase and
Ribosome.

process

process

of

the

factor

that

that

process

stick

occurred

occurred

mRNA

to

in

in

by

the

DNA?

number

number

6?

7?

Ribosome?

9. Remove Positive Transcription Factor from the DNA and replace it with Negative
Transcription Factor. Then, Grab one RNA polymerase and place it beside Negative
Transcription Factor. Observe the movement of RNA polymerase. (Write your
observations on a sheet of paper.)

10. Once done, click Next Gene in the lower right side of the screen.

11. Grab the first Positive Transcription Factor in the DNA.

12. Grab the second Positive Transcription Factor and place it beside the first positive
transcription factor.

13. Grab one of the RNA polymerase and place it beside the first positive
transcription factor. Then observe what happens. (Write your observations on a sheet
of paper.)

14. Grab one of the Ribosome and attached it with mRNA. Then Grab its product in
the collection box.

15. Repeat procedures from number 13 to 14 with the other RNA polymerase and
Ribosome.

16. Remove Positive Transcription Factor in the DNA and replace it with Negative
Transcription Factor.

17. Grab one RNA polymerase and place it beside Negative Transcription Factor.
Observe the movement of RNA polymerase. (Write your observations on a sheet of
paper.)

18. Grab one mRNA destroyer and attached it to mRNA. Then observe what
happens. (Write your observations on a sheet of paper.)

19. Afterwards, click Next Gene in the lower right side of the screen. Then repeat
procedures number 11-17.

20. Now, your collection is complete!

* Trace the flow of information from DNA to a protein, write the names of the processes above
each arrow.

The Central Dogma of Biology

DNA (gene)

mRNA

protein