Crack the Code to Make Protein
Role play a ribosome to read mRNA and build amino acid chains.
Topics:
Life Science
, Cell Biology
, Biochemistry
Author:
Caryn Hale
, Conor Hale
Published Date:
January 30, 2019
Last Updated:
March 2, 2026
Background
Translation is the process of converting an mRNA sequence into a string of amino acids, ultimately comprising a protein. To do this, ribosomes move along the mRNA and read the code in groups of three. The groups of three are called codons and the each code for an amino acid.
Materials
MESSAGE BOARD
- Students can use their MESSAGE BOARD from the Transcription Activity or you can prepare a color-coded sequence specific for this exercise if needed
Store Items
- Pipe cleaners, any color(s)
- Pony beads, in 8+ colors (our print materials use white, green, blue, black, purple, red, orange, and yellow)
Color Printed Items
- RNA –> protein decoder (see downloadables)
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