Demonstrates all steps of transcription and translation as well as the structure of DNA and RNA.  It also shows covalent versus hydrogen bonds and goes vertical showing the dimensions of the process.  It includes a ribosome which the mRNA moves through and bendable peptide bonds so that students can fold the protein in the end.  Combinations of shapes and colors allows students to understand that each of the 20 amino acids have different qualities.  Even the charged amino acids are magnetized.  Amino acids are grouped into their accurate categories.  The colors and shapes of the kit pieces allow students to compare DNA to RNA and follow each molecular component through the process.

Protein Synthesis

SKU: 0001
  • Each DNA nucleotide consist of a deoxyribose (black), phosphate (white) and specific nitrogenous bases (yellow, green, blue or pink).  Each RNA nucleotide consists of a ribose (grey), phosphate (white) and specific nitrogenous bases (orange, green, blue or pink).   Purines are represented by larger colored sections (green and blue). Pyrimidines are represented by smaller colored sections (yellow, orange, and pink).  Each nucleotide has a dovetail connection to represent the covalent bond between the phosphates and sugars.  Magnets on the colored portions of the nucleotide pieces represent hydrogen bonds between complementary pairs.  There are two magnets between adenine and thymine/uracil and three magnets between guanine and cytosine. 

    Each tRNA has a top binding site for the amino acid and three sites with dovetails for the three appropriate nucleotide anti-codon bases.  Each of the twenty amino acids have a unique combination of shape (square, octagon, convex top, and concave top) and color (light green, gold, red, brilliant blue, and beige).  A flexible connecting rod (dark grey) represents the peptide bond.  It binds each of the amino acids together at a ball and socket joint.  The flexibility of the rod and joint allows for folding of the final polypeptide.

    The ribosome (beige) is large enough to hold the mRNA and has three sites (E, P, & A) where the mRNA and tRNA will temporary bind as the polypeptide is formed.  

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Casa Grande, Arizona