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BBiologyChemistryS5 to S6Molecular biology

DNA lab: replication and protein synthesis

Every protein in your body is built from instructions written in four letters. Read a gene, make the protein, and see what a single mistake can do.

🧬DNA → mRNA → proteinDNA, replication and protein synthesis
LevelS5 to S6 (and A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useBase pairing, codons, percentages
PriceFree: no account

🎯 Aim

To investigate DNA structure and replication and how a gene codes for a protein.

You will learn to

  • Apply base pairing rules (Chargaff).
  • Describe transcription and translation.
  • Explain the effects of different mutations.
  • Interpret evidence for semi-conservative replication.

🧭 What to do

  1. Read the coding strand, template, mRNA and amino acids.
  2. Choose a Mutation and move its position: compare the protein.
  3. Change the Generations in ¹⁴N.
  4. Change the Adenine percentage and read the other bases.
  5. Answer the questions with the class data.
  6. Write your conclusion and download your lab report.

🔬 Lab bench

📋 The data

Codons of the gene in the lab.

🧠 Investigate: answer from the data

Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.

📄 My lab report

Your report collects the aim, your data table, the graphs, your answers and your conclusion. It is made on your phone or computer: nothing is sent to anyone.

Check your conclusion

DNA bases pair A–T and G–C. In transcription the template strand is copied into mRNA (U replaces T); ribosomes translate each codon into an amino acid until a stop codon. A substitution may be silent, missense or nonsense, while insertions and deletions shift the reading frame. Meselson and Stahl showed replication is semi-conservative.

➕ Get more from this experiment

📝 Free

Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.

📦 Premium Lab Pack

1 000 RWF

  • Worksheet: model DNA with paper strips and decode a message
  • Molecular biology problems
  • Teacher guide and answer key
  • Exam-style questions with marking scheme

👩‍🏫 For teachers

Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.

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