B.6CDE: Transcription and Translation
Mechanics of Genetics
Transcribe and Translate a Gene
Diversity of RNA Structures
Evolution of Gene Switches
Part I: Transcribe and Translate a Gene
Read the introduction on the page, and examine the diagram on the lower-right side of the
page to review the transcription and translation process. Then, near the top of the page,
click the button to begin. Read the instructions and use the Universal Genetic Code chart to
complete the activity. Note that the instructions below the interactive part of the screen will
change as you complete one task and move on to the next task.
1.  Describe your task during the transcription portion of the activity. Cite a specific
example to explain.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2.  Describe your task during the translation process. Cite a specific example to explain.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.  At what code triplet did you have to START the translation? _______________________
4.  At what code triplet did the translation STOP?
_______________________
1
B.6CDE: Transcription and Translation
Mechanics of Genetics
Part II: Diversity of RNA Structures
As you review the 13 slides, answer the questions below. Click to view animations and
videos where they are available.
1.  What are some of the various types of RNA that exist? List three specific ones with their
full names and abbreviations.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2.  Describe the nature and importance of mRNA.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3.  Describe the nature and importance of tRNA.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4.  What characteristics make RNA, in its variety of forms, important to biological function?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2
B.6CDE: Transcription and Translation
Mechanics of Genetics
Part III: Evolution of Gene Switches
There are three videos to watch, one on the first slide and two on the second slide. The first
one illustrates the basics of how a gene switch works. The other two address how these
relate to evolution.
Use the videos as your guide to draw your own diagram of how gene switches work. Also,
add any information that you have learned about RNA to include for helping to explain how
this works. Use the video player controls, you can pause and replay the videos, as needed.
3