PERFORMANCE TASK ON NUCLEIC ACIDS:

DNA DECODING SEGMENT

OBJECTIVE: Apply the concept of protein synthesis through the amino acids coded for the
mRNA codon using the genetic code.

PROCEDURE:
1. Study the given scenario (see attached activity) and study the profile of the suspects and
additional information.
2. Using your knowledge about DNA and RNA base-pairing, decode the DNA sample in order
to identify the sequence of amino acids. Use the amino acid identifier chart as your
reference.
3. Compare the sequence of amino acids (proteins) to the profile of the suspects and
additional information given in order to determine the corresponding traits.
4. Name the culprit using the data or information you got.
5. Using the pencil and crayons make a cartographic sketch of the suspect

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Q1. What amino acids sequences did you get upon decoding the genes?
nose hair: _________________________________________________________________
shape of eyes: _____________________________________________________________
lips: ______________________________________________________________________
ear attachment: _____________________________________________________________
type of hair: ________________________________________________________________

Q2. What are the traits of the culprit based on your data?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Q3. Who among the suspects matches with the sequence of amino acids (proteins) you
got?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Draw the possible appearance of the culprit.

____________________________________________
NAME AND CARTOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE SUSPECT
PROBLEM/INCIDENT

An intruder razed the science laboratory of a Junior High School. The school is in chaos.
The school administrators and teachers demanded to know the culprit. They have to identify the
culprit and do it fast. They had three suspects namely Rudy Tee, Von Go and Rambo Tan. As a
forensic expert, your mission is to identify the intruder using the profile of the suspects and other
information taken from the laboratory.

THE PROFILE OF THE SUSPECTS

SUSPECT 1 SUSPECT 2 SUSPECT 3
Rudy Tee Von Go Rambo Tan
 Flunked physics class  His investigative project  Suspended for a week by
three times is about the potential the Disciplinary
 with long nose hair, applications of nuclear Committee for repeated
 oval eyes fusion in generating tardiness.
 full lips energy.  short nose hair
 attached ear lobe  short nose hair  oval eyes
 straight hair  chinky eyes  harelip
 full lips  attached earlobe
 free earlobe  wavy hair
 curly hair

Additional Information: Below are the specific amino acid sequence for specific trait.
1. Nose hair
 Short : phe-lys
 Long : leu-lys
2. Shape of Eyes
 oval : val-ala-ala
 chinky : val-ala-val
3. Lips
 Full lips : phe- glu-ala
 Harelip : phe-lys-ala
4. Ear attachment
 Free earlobe : thr- tyr-
ser
 Attached : leu-arg-gly
5. Type of hair
 Straight : lys-glu
 Wavy : phe-ala
 Curly : glu-phe
THE DNA CODE OF THE SUSPECT
A fresh DNA sample was obtained from the laboratory; believe to have been left by the
suspect. Using the DNA sequencer, the following nucleotide sequence was obtained.
SUSPECT’S DNA: TAC-AAA-TTT-ATC-TAC-AAA-CTT-CGT-ATC-TAC-CAT-CGT-CAT-ATT-
TAC-TGG-ATA-TCG-ATC-TAC-CTT-AAA-ATC

Complementary base pairs: DNA is represented by nitrogen bases that are read in groups of
threes. To decode, use the DNA as a blueprint to produce mRNA. Then use the mRNA as
blueprint to produce the linear sequence of tRNA. A specific nitrogen base in the DNA pairs up
with a specific nitrogen base in the mRNA, and a specific nitrogen base in the mRNA pairs up
with a specific nitrogen base in the tRNA.

BREAKING THE CODE: Complete the data table below.

DNA Triple Code mRNA tRNA Amino acid
TAC
AAA
TTT
ATC
TAC
AAA
CTT
CGT
ATC
TAC
CAT
CGT
CAT
ATT
TAC
TGG
ATA
TCG
ATC
TAC
CTT
AAA
ATC

Characteristics and traits of the suspect based on the DNA code.

1. Nose hair: ___________
2. Eyes: ___________
3. Lips: ___________
4. Ear attachment: ___________
5. Type of hair: ___________