3.7 Codons
A. Code Detectives: Career Spotlight
Did you know every single person has unique DNA? Your DNA is like your finger print. That’s why when police are at a crime scene they look for their DNA. Because if they can find DNA and match it to the person, they will know who was at the crime scene. Below are two careers that study DNA in the real-world and use that code to solve crimes. Kind of like super hero crimefighters, but with science.Â
B. Codons
In order to create unique people, the parts of our DNA need to work together to create code. That code is actually very well organized Base Pairs alone are just one part of the code. In order for DNA to tell you body what to do. In order to create code, base pairs (A/T and C/G) are grouped together in chunks called codons. Those codons are grouped together in strings to form proteins. A string of codons together make a gene that tells our body what to do. How many base pairs make up one codon.
Â
Directions: Can you tell how many base pairs form a codon from the illustration?Â
C. Code Breaking - You Try
In order for us to figure out how we would create super powers or change DNA we need to see how we could actually decode our DNA. We’ll do that now.
You Try: Writing a Secret Code With DNA
Directions: In your Mission Log, complete the Codon Code Breaking activity.
When you are done, check your answers to the reflection questions below.
Optional: Decoder Wheel
Optional: Protein Key
You must be logged in to post a comment.