Function Finders: BLAST!

 

Function Finders: BLAST!

Function Finders: BLAST!

Decode DNA sequences and discover the proteins they code for using online scientific databases.

Function Finders: BLAST!

This activity demonstrates the concept of how genes encode proteins. You use a codon wheel to translate DNA sequences into amino acid chains. Using this information, you then search for the proteins that contain those sequences using the UNIPROT database and find out what the proteins do.

DNA sequence is converted into a string of amino acids that form the functional protein. There are 20 different amino acids and the order and combinations of amino acids that make up a protein determine the protein’s unique function in the body. The human genome contains over 20,000 protein-coding genes.

A PowerPoint presentation is provided for teachers who may wish to do this activity with a class. This presentation provides an outline of how to run the activity and details of each of the proteins featured in the activity. Files are also provided so you can view the 3D structure of the proteins using the protein modelling software Rasmol.

Downloads

zip All files (.zip, 13.27 MB)

pdf Answer sheet (.pdf, 87.44 KB)

pdf Codon wheel (.pdf, 896.20 KB)

pdf Instructions (.pdf, 1.88 MB)

vnd.ms-powerpoint Presentation (.vnd.ms-powerpoint, 11.16 MB)

zip Rasmol protein profiles (.zip, 1.45 MB)

pdf Teachers notes (.pdf, 116.16 KB)

pdf Worksheet (.pdf, 77.69 KB)

This page was last updated on 2019-06-18

Function Finders activities Function Finders Discover how DNA sequences code for proteins with different roles and functions.
What does DNA do? facts What does DNA do? The DNA code contains instructions needed to make the proteins and molecules essential for our growth, development and health.
From DNA to protein videos From DNA to protein This 3D animation shows how proteins are made in the cell from the information in the DNA code.

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