DNA Transcription and Translation Practice Worksheet with Key | TPT - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to label the protein synthesis diagram using the given terms.

We are told to use these 11 terms:
- transcription
- translation
- DNA
- mRNA
- ribosome
- tRNA
- amino acid
- polypeptide
- nucleus
- codon
- anticodon

Now, let’s walk through what happens in protein synthesis and match each part of the diagram (even though we can’t see it clearly, we know the standard layout from biology):

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Step 1: Where does it start?

Protein synthesis starts in the nucleus, where DNA is located. The DNA has genes that code for proteins.

→ So, the double helix structure at the top left should be labeled DNA.

The area around it (the big curved boundary) is the nucleus.

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Step 2: Transcription

In the nucleus, a segment of DNA is copied into mRNA (messenger RNA). This process is called transcription.

→ The arrow going from DNA to a single strand being made = transcription

→ That single strand leaving the nucleus = mRNA

Sometimes there’s “pre-mRNA” and then “mature mRNA” after editing — but since “mature mRNA” is mentioned in the diagram text, we’ll note that too if needed. But our list doesn’t include “pre-mRNA”, so we stick with mRNA.

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Step 3: mRNA leaves the nucleus

The mature mRNA exits the nucleus and goes to the cytoplasm, where ribosomes are waiting.

→ The long wavy line moving out of the nucleus = mRNA

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Step 4: Translation begins

In the cytoplasm, the mRNA attaches to a ribosome. The ribosome reads the mRNA in groups of 3 bases called codons.

→ The large blobby structure on the mRNA = ribosome

→ Each group of 3 letters on the mRNA = codon

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Step 5: tRNA brings amino acids

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring specific amino acids to the ribosome. Each tRNA has an anticodon that matches the mRNA’s codon.

→ The cloverleaf-shaped molecules carrying dots = tRNA

→ The dot on top of each tRNA = amino acid

→ The 3-letter sequence on the bottom of tRNA that pairs with mRNA = anticodon

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Step 6: Building the chain

As tRNAs bring amino acids, they link together to form a growing chain called a polypeptide (which becomes a protein).

→ The chain of dots coming off the ribosome = polypeptide

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Step 7: Overall processes

The whole first half (in nucleus): making mRNA from DNA → transcription

The second half (in cytoplasm): building protein from mRNA → translation

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Now, let’s assign labels based on typical diagram positions:

Assuming the diagram looks like this (standard textbook version):

Top left: Double helix → DNA

Arrow pointing down from DNA to new strand → transcription

New strand inside nucleus → mRNA (or pre-mRNA, but we’ll call it mRNA)

After processing → mature mRNA (if labeled, but not in our term list — so maybe just ignore or assume it’s still mRNA)

Big circle surrounding top part → nucleus

mRNA exiting nucleus → continues as mRNA

Bottom part: wavy line (mRNA) with blobs attached → those blobs are ribosomes

On ribosome: small Y-shaped things with dots on top → tRNA carrying amino acid

Each tRNA has 3 bases matching mRNA → anticodon

Each 3-base unit on mRNA → codon

Chain of amino acids growing → polypeptide

Entire bottom process → translation

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Final labeling plan (based on common diagram layout):

1. Top double helix → DNA
2. Process copying DNA to RNA → transcription
3. Single strand being made → mRNA
4. Large oval enclosing top part → nucleus
5. Strand leaving nucleus → mRNA
6. Blob on mRNA in cytoplasm → ribosome
7. Cloverleaf shapes → tRNA
8. Dots on top of tRNA → amino acid
9. 3 bases on tRNA → anticodon
10. 3 bases on mRNA → codon
11. Chain of amino acids → polypeptide
12. Entire bottom process → translation

Note: Some diagrams may have “mature mRNA” written — but since it’s not in our word bank, we don’t need to label it separately unless required. Our job is to use only the 11 given terms.

Also, sometimes “ribosome” is shown as two subunits — but we just label the whole thing as ribosome.

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Double-check: Did we use all 11?

List:
✔ transcription
✔ translation
✔ DNA
✔ mRNA
✔ ribosome
✔ tRNA
✔ amino acid
✔ polypeptide
✔ nucleus
✔ codon
✔ anticodon

Yes — all used.

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Final Answer:

Based on standard protein synthesis diagram layout:

- Double helix at top: DNA
- Arrow/process from DNA to RNA: transcription
- Newly formed RNA strand in nucleus: mRNA
- Boundary around top section: nucleus
- RNA strand exiting nucleus: mRNA
- Structure reading mRNA in cytoplasm: ribosome
- Molecules bringing amino acids: tRNA
- Small units carried by tRNA: amino acid
- Triplets on tRNA that pair with mRNA: anticodon
- Triplets on mRNA read by ribosome: codon
- Growing chain of amino acids: polypeptide
- Entire cytoplasmic process: translation

*(Note: If the diagram shows "mature mRNA", you can still label it as "mRNA" since "mature" isn't in your word list.)*

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Final Answer:
Label the diagram as follows:

- Top double helix → DNA
- Process making RNA from DNA → transcription
- RNA strand synthesized in nucleus → mRNA
- Area containing DNA → nucleus
- RNA strand moving to cytoplasm → mRNA
- Machine reading mRNA → ribosome
- Carrier molecules with amino acids → tRNA
- Building blocks brought by tRNA → amino acid
- Base triplet on tRNA → anticodon
- Base triplet on mRNA → codon
- Chain of linked amino acids → polypeptide
- Overall process in cytoplasm → translation