Name ___ANSWER KEY_________________ Lab Number _____

Date ____________________

DNA
Introduction: Mutations
DNA is genetic material composed of nucleotides. These nucleotides spell out a sequence that forms
each individual’s unique genetic code. ThroughLab
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
mRNA C A A C G U C A U G A U
Amino Acid Gln Arg His Asp

2. Analyze the following two DNA sequences.

Sequence 1: GTT GCA GTA CTA

Sequence 2: GTT GAA GTA CTA

What is the difference between the two? The second codon is GAA. It originally was GCA.

What type of mutation is this? A substitution (missense) mutation. The amino acid produced
would become leucine instead of arginine.

3. Now analyze these two DNA sequences:

 Sequence 1: GTT GCA GTA CTA
Sequence 2: GTC TGC AGT ACT A

What is the difference between the two? A base has been inserted between the first and
second codon.

What type of mutation is this? Insertion (frameshift). It changes all of the amino acids
produced after the inserted base.

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 1 11 12
0
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

Number Rolled: ____ Corresponding Action: ____________________________

All Possible Mutations for Trial One: (8 Possibilities)

Substitution of Base A:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A A T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U U A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine STOP Aspartic STOP
Acid

Substitution of Base C:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A C T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U G A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Glutamic Aspartic STOP
Acid Acid

Substitution of Base G:
 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 STOP
Acid

Deletion:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Arginine Threonine _____

Insertion of Base A:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A A T T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U U A A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine STOP Glycine Leucine

Insertion of Base T:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Glycine Leucine

Insertion of Base C:
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A C T T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U G A A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Glutamic Glycine Leucine
Acid

Insertion of Base G:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A G T T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U C A A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Glutamine Glycine Leucine

Trial 2: Mutation at BASE 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12
0
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 Stop
Acid

Number Rolled: ____ Corresponding Action: ___________________________

All Possible Mutations for Trial Two: (8 Possibilities)

Substitution of Base A:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12
0
Original DNA C G A T T A C T G A T C
Original mRNA G C U A A U G A C U A G
Original Amino Acids Alanine Asparagine Aspartic Stop
Acid
Substitution of Base T:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12
0
Original DNA C G A T T T C T G A T C
Original mRNA G C U A A A G A C U A G
Original Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Aspartic Stop
Acid

Substitution of Base G:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12
0
Original DNA C G A T T G C T G A T C
Original mRNA G C U A A C G A C U A G
Original Amino Acids Alanine Asparagine Aspartic Stop
Acid

Deletion:
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Threonine _____

Insertion of Base A:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T A C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A U G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Asparagine Glycine Leucine

Insertion of Base T:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T T C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A A G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Glycine Leucine

Insertion of Base C:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T C C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A G G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Lysine Glycine Leucine

Insertion of Base G:
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Mutated DNA C G A T T G C C T G A T C
Mutated mRNA G C U A A C G G A C U A G
New Amino Acids Alanine Asparagine Glycine Leucine

Conclusion Questions:

1. What is the significance in rolling the die to determine how to mutate the DNA?

DNA mutations are random, just like the number you get each time you roll a dice.

2. What type of mutation did you have in Trial 1? What was the effect on the amino acid
sequence produced?

Answers will vary based on student results. All mutations in trial one should have produced a
change in the amino acid sequence in some way.

3. What type of mutation did you have in Trial 2? What was the effect on the amino acid
sequence produced?

Answers will vary based on student results. A substitution of base T is the only mutation that
would produce the same amino acid sequence. All other mutations will change the sequence
in some way.

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?

Answers will vary based on student results.

5. Is it possible to have a mutation in nucleotide four that would produce the same amino acid? If
yes, provide an example.

Yes, an insertion of Base T at nucleotide 4 will still code for lysine (see above examples).

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, a substitution of Base T, a deletion, an insertion of Base T, or an insertion of Base C at

nucleotide 6 will still code for lysine (see above examples).