Protein Synthesis Worksheets

Translation
        Protein synthesis worksheets designed for high school, middle school, and elementary school life science teachers. Our transcription & translation worksheet allows students to practice transcribing the DNA code into RNA and then translating that RNA into an amino acid sequence. NGSS Life Science offers many great lessons. Click the Free Lesson Plan (PDF) link below or become a member to get access to the answer key and editable file. Free protein syntheis curriculum includes:
  • Worksheet
    Protein Synthesis Worksheet
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Worksheet
    In this protein synthesis worksheet, students will practice the process of transcription and translation. Students will transcribe DNA into RNA using the base pairing rules. Then students will translate that RNA to build a polypeptide. Students will also answer review questions about transcription and translation. This protein synthesis worksheet is a great skill builder for understanding the vocabulary in both processes and DNA base pairing rules.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Project Recently Updated
    BLAST Cancer RAS Gene Project
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Project
    Students will do a BLAST and learn about how a mutated gene will code for an abnormal protein, affecting the organism’s phenotype.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    HS-LS1-4
    HS-LS3-1
    HS-LS3-2
    HS-LS4-1
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Worksheet
    How DNA Controls the Workings of the Cell
    Free Lesson Plan
     
    High School Worksheet
    Students are given two partial sequences of DNA bases for the gene insulin, 1 is from a human and 2 is from a cow. Students transcribe and translate the code and then analyze the sequence for mutations.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    MS-LS3-1 (Mutations)
    		  
    Published by Shannan Muskopf
  • Lab Experiment
    Transcription and Translation Lab - From Gene to Protein
    Free Student Handout
    Free Teacher Notes
     
    High School Lab
    In this transcription and translation lab, students learn how a gene provides the instructions for making a protein, and how a mutation in the gene for sickle cell hemoglobin can result in sickle cell anemia. Students use paper models to transcribe and translate the DNA into a protein.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    HS-LS3-1
    HS-LS3-2
    MS-LS3-1 (Mutations)
    		  
    Published by Ingrid Waldron and Jennifer Doherty
  • Project
    DNA to Me Lyrics Project
    Published by NGSS Life Science. Free Lesson Plan (PDF)

    Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
     
    High School Project
    In this protein synthesis project, students will write a poem or music lyrics about DNA, protein synthesis, and phenotypes. This DNA project is a culmination of what students who have already learned about DNA structure, DNA base pairing, genes, transcription, translation, and phenotypes.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    HS-LS1-6
    HS-LS3-1
    		  
    Published by NGSS Life Science
  • Lab Experiment
    Gene Expression - Ghost in Your Genes
    Free Lesson Plan
    Free Video
     
    High School Lab
    Students model how scientists use DNA microarrays to determine levels of gene expression in breast cancer patients, and then choose treatments based on what they learn.
    NGSS Standard
    HS-LS1-1
    HS-LS3-1
    		  
    Published by Margy Kuntz and NOVA / PBS
Central Dogma


Protein Synthesis Concepts

  • Central Dogma - gene expression follows a specific order.
  • Transcription - RNA polymerase, initiation, elongation, termination, promoter regions, introns, exons, codons, mRNA, transcribe template strand.
  • Translation - ribosome (rRNA and protein), anticodons, tRNA, initiation, elongation, termination, A-site, P-site, amino acids, polypeptide chain, start codon, stop codon.


Lessons Organized by NGSS Standard