Protein Synthesis Project – Due Date: Friday February 6

Objective: To create an accurate model/presentation of DNA, RNA, and proteins as well as the processes of DNA replication
and protein synthesis.
Materials: You can use any materials available to you – be creative!
Grade: The rubric is below.
Who You Can Work With: You may work in groups of three students or less.
What You Can Do:
- Write a song describing DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
- A 3-D model, computer drawing, or poster story board of DNA, RNA, and showing the processes of DNA replication
and protein synthesis
- A video clip / Photo story using DNA, RNA, and protein pieces explaining the processes of DNA replication and
protein synthesis
Protein Synthesis Project Rubric:

Process 5 pts 10 pts 15 pts 20 pts

Model: DNA model; parts

are labeled; hydrogen
bonds are present and
Model: 3-D DNA model;
Model: DNA model with correct, shows helix,
parts are labeled
some parts labeled bases, chemical structure
Model: DNA Model
and describes structure
and function
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
DNA Includes 3 images
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
Structure & Song/Video/PhotoStory: relating to DNA (in
Includes 2 images Song/Video/PhotoStory:
Function Includes less than 2 addition to the helix,
relating to DNA. These Includes 3 images
images relating to DNA. nucleotide bases,
images are labeled. relating to DNA (in
Mentions DNA holds the chemical structure)
Gives partial description addition to the helix,
genetic information. Gives most of the
of DNA structure and nucleotide bases,
structure functions of
function. chemical structure)
DNA.
Describes the complete
structure and function of
DNA in completely.

Model: DNA model

showing replication
Model: DNA model
occurring; includes
present; shows
helicase and includes
Model: DNA model replication beginning to
DNA polymerase
Model: DNA Model is present; shows occur; includes helicase
present replication beginning to
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
occur
States DNA replication
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
DNA must occur before a cell
States DNA replication
Replication Song/Video/PhotoStory: Song/Video/PhotoStory: must occur before a cell
divides. Includes four or
more images with
States DNA replication States DNA replication divides. Includes three
enzymes and strands
must occur before a cell must occur before a cell images with enzymes
labeled. States the
divides. Includes one divides. Includes two and strands labeled.
direction of DNA
image, not labeled. images with enzymes States the direction of
replication, labels
labeled. DNA replication, labels
leading and lagging
leading and lagging
strands. Describes
strands.
process with enzymes.
 Model: model of Model: transcription and
transcription and translation is present
Model: mRNA molecule translation is present (mRNA, protein, and
Model: mRNA molecule
is present (mRNA, protein, and ribosome, tRNA) and all
present; a model of the
ribosome) parts are labeled
protein is present
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
Song/Video/PhotoStory: States locations of Song/Video/PhotoStory:
Song/Video/PhotoStory:
States locations of transcription and States locations of
States locations of
transcription and translation. Names the transcription and
transcription and
translation. Names the four bases of RNA, using translation. Names the
Transcription translation. Names the
four bases of RNA, using the letters and chemical four bases of RNA, using
& Translation the letters and chemical
four bases of RNA, using
names. Gives a 5-7 the letters and chemical
the letters and chemical
names. Gives a 1-3 sentence summary names. Gives a 7+
names. Gives a 3-5
sentence summary about what occurs in sentence summary about
sentence summary
about what occurs in transcription and what occurs in
about what occurs in
transcription and translation. Includes transcription and
transcription and
translation. Includes one three images with translation. Includes
translation. Includes
images, no labels. labels. Gives an example three images with labels.
two images with labels.
Description has more of how DNA is Gives an example of how
Description has 2 errors
than two errors transcribed into mRNA. DNA is transcribed into
Description has 1 or mRNA and how mRNA is
fewer errors translated into proteins.

Model: No citations Model: 2 sources have Model: 3 sources have Model: 4+ sources have
Sources Cited present. been cited been cited been cited
(I will post
reference Song/
directions in Song/Video/PhotoStory: Video/PhotoStory:
your home A few of the pictures Song/Video/PhotoStory: All text and pictures are
directory) Song/Video/PhotoStory: and some of the text are Most text and pictures properly cited with
No citations present. present. are properly cited. footnotes.

Project is accurate with Project is completely

Project is incomplete, Project has a few errors
Overall decent presentation accurate, clean, concise,
not concise, and unclear and poor presentation
Project evident lack of effort quality.
quality and well thought and understandable.
out. Well planned and unique

Group Members_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total Score ____________/100