1. Amino Amigos! Name: _______________________
Date: ________________________
Pd. _______
Amino Amigos!
Introduction: Genes are the units that determine inherited characteristics, such as hair color and blood type. Genes are lengths of DNA molecules that determine the structure of polypeptides (the building blocks of proteins) that our cells make. The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in polypeptides, and thus the structure of proteins. 
In this investigation, you will simulate the mechanism of protein synthesis and thereby determine the traits inherited by fictitious organisms called Amino Amigos.   Amino Amigos, whose cells contain only one chromosome, are members of the kingdom Animalia. An Amino Amigo chromosome is made up of six genes (A, B, C, D, E, and F), each of which is responsible for a certain trait. 
Purpose:
How can traits on a particular chromosome determine the characteristics of an organism?
How can mutations within the genes change these characteristics?
Procedures:
Get your Amino Amigo sequence sheet from your teacher. This sheet includes the DNA sequences of each gene that you will transcribe into mRNA.
To determine the trait for Gene A of your amino amigo, fill in the information in the box labeled Gene A in the Data Table. On the line provided, write the sequence of nucleotides in DNA (REPLICATION). On the line provided, write the sequence of nucleotides of mRNA that are complementary to DNA (TRANSCRIPTION). 
In order to determine the sequence of amino acids, use the codon table provided. Write the sequence of amino acids for each gene, be sure to include STOP codons. 
Find the gene trait that matches the amino acid sequence. Record the traits.
Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the remaining genes (B through F).
Using all the inherited traits, sketch your Amino Amigo in the space provided. NAME your Amino Amigo.

2. Amino Acid Sequences for Each Gene Trait:
Codon Table:
Amino Acid Sequences for Each Gene Trait:
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene Trait
A: Met-Thr-Gly-Gly
Hairless
A: Met-Thr-Trp-Trp
Hairy
B: Met-Thr-Val-Ser
Plump
B: Met-Gly-Val-Ser
Skinny
C: Met-Ser-Arg
Four-Legged
C: Met-Pro-Arg
Two Wings, Two Legs
C: Met-Trp-Arg
Four Wings
D: Met-Gly-Arg-Lys-Pro
Trunk
D: Met-Gly-Arg-Lys-Phe
Pig Snout
Amino Acid Sequence
Gene Trait
E: Met-Phe-Lys
Rat Teeth
E: Met-Phe-Asn
Tusks
F: Met-Gly-Ala-Arg
Blue Skin/Hair
F: Met-Gly-Arg-Arg
Orange Skin/Hair
G: Met-Ile-Ile-Leu
Long Tail
G: Met-Ile-Ile-Val
Cotton Tail

3. Gene A
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ___________________________
Gene B
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ___________________________
Gene C
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ______________________
Gene D
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-______-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ___________________________
Gene E
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ___________________________
Gene F
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-______-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-______-_____
Trait: ___________________________
Gene G
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Trait: ___________________________

4. Amino Amigo Species Name: _____________________________________
Drawing: Draw and name your Amino Amigo based on the traits from the previous page. You can be as creative as you wish with any other aspect of your Amino Amigo, but it must have the specific traits coded for in the gene sequence. Be sure the Amino Amigo’s name is in proper scientific format! (Genus species…example: Elephantus bluwingii)
Amino Amigo Species Name: _____________________________________

5. Mutations:
Errors can happen when replicating and transcribing genetic material. These errors are known as MUTATIONS. Mutations can happen due to errors within the cell or outside influences like radiation. Some mutations can change traits coded for in genes while others can prove lethal to the organism. Let’s mutate your Amino Amigo!
For Each mutation, write the new DNA sequence. Then be sure to transcribe and translate the sequence to get the new amino acid chain. For new mutated traits, refer to the mutation table on the next page.
In Gene A, replace the 6th base with an adenine (A). How did this mutation effect your amino acid sequence? Will this mutation change the function of the gene?
In Gene B, delete the 7th base in the sequence. Write the new DNA sequence below. How did this mutation change the number of amino acids in the sequence? Why did this change so drastically?
In Gene D, insert the code ACC after the 6th base. How did this mutation change the number of amino acids in the sequence? Why did this change so drastically?
In Gene F, change the 10th base to adenine (A).
In Gene G, change the 4th base to guanine (G).
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Mutated Trait: ______________________________
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Mutated Trait: ______________________________
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Mutated Trait: ______________________________
DNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
mRNA: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Amino Acids: _____-_____-_____-_____-_____
Mutated Trait: ______________________________

6. Amino Acid Sequence Mutated Trait
B: Met-Thr
Muscular
B: Met-Gly
LETHAL
D: Met-Gly-Trp-Arg-Lys-Pro
Beak
D: Met-Gly-Trp-Arg-Lys-Phe
Dog Snout
F: Met-Gly-Ala
Black Hair
F: Met-Gly-Arg
Purple Hair
G: Met-Leu-Ile-Leu
Fish Tail
G: Met-Leu-Ile-Val
Mutated Drawing: Based on the mutated traits from the previous page, draw your mutated Amino Amigo. Do not include lethal mutations on your drawing!

7. Amino Amigos Code Page Amino Amigos Code Page
Name: _______________________
Date: ________________________
Pd. _______ 1
Amino Amigos Code Page
Follow these codes for each gene of your Amino Amigo. Use these to transcribe and translate this genetic information into an amino acid sequence.
A: TACTGGACCACCATT
B: TACTGGCATTCGATC
C: TACTCGGCTACT
D: TACCCGTCCTTTAAAATC
E: TACAAATTTATT
F: TACCCGCGTGCTACT
G: TACTAGTAGGATATT
Name: _______________________
Date: ________________________
Pd. _______ 2
Amino Amigos Code Page
Follow these codes for each gene of your Amino Amigo. Use these to transcribe and translate this genetic information into an amino acid sequence.
A: TACTGGCCGCCTATT
B: TACCCGCATTCGATC
C: TACGGGGCTACT
D: TACCCGTCCTTTGGGATC
E: TACAAATTGATT
F: TACCCGGCAGCTACT
G: TACTAGTAGCATATT

8. Amino Amigos Code Page Amino Amigos Code Page
Name: _______________________
Date: ________________________
Pd. _______ 3
Amino Amigos Code Page
Follow these codes for each gene of your Amino Amigo. Use these to transcribe and translate this genetic information into an amino acid sequence.
A: TACTGGCCGCCTATT
B: TACCCGCATTCGATC
C: TACGGGGCTACT
D: TACCCGTCCTTTGGGATC
E: TACAAATTGATT
F: TACCCGCGTGCTACT
G: TACTAGTAGCATATT
Name: _______________________
Date: ________________________
Pd. _______ 4
Amino Amigos Code Page
Follow these codes for each gene of your Amino Amigo. Use these to transcribe and translate this genetic information into an amino acid sequence.
A: TACTGGACCACCATT
B: TACTGGCATTCGATC
C: TACACCGCTACT
D: TACCCGTCCTTTAAAATC
E: TACAAATTTATT
F: TACCCGGCAGCTACT
G: TACTAGTAGGATATT