Experiences

Formation of the polypeptide chain (translation)

Nevenka Geleva

Bulgaria

High Secondary School

Chemistry

Teaching in class

Direct

Several desks (2 or 3) are collected to form a row. The task Involves at least 10 students and the teacher. Students play a role of the mRNA (mRNA bind to specific amino acids in the cytoplasm and carry them to the ribosomes where protein synthesis is carried out). For amino acids are used the personal phones of the students. The teacher plays the role of the ribosome. For iRNA (nucleotide sequence that determines the polypeptide sequence) can be used about two meters long cord, but also shorter cord or the cable of phone charger.
The cord is placed on the desks. The teacher stands at one end. The play starts with two students who approach the teacher holding their phones. The teacher takes the 2 phones and put them at the beginning of cord with the phones covering the cord, which indicates that they are connected at this time. Then the teacher puts a paper clip between the two phones (the clip serves as peptide bond that links amino acids) and thus they remain connected – it is formed dipeptide. The teacher then shifts slightly the cord so that the first phone not to overlap the cord and the first student steps away. Third student comes with his/her phone. He/she stands next to the second student and gives his/her phone to the teacher, who puts it on the cord next to the second phone. Again a clip connects the second and third phone. After the formation of the second link the teacher shifts the cord so that only the third phone is on the cord. The second student steps away and the fourth one comes. This sequence of actions is repeated until the arrival of the tenth student.
When last phone is put on the cord it has formed a long chain of phones on the desks, which presents a synthesized polypeptide chain.