Codon Bingo

Introduction SCIENTIFIC
Codon Bingo is a stimulating game that involves deciphering the genetic code. The game is BIO FAX!
designed to give students practice with transcription and translation of codons while at the same
time generating full class participation. As students play the game, they develop increased proficiency while unraveling the
genetic code found in the base pairs. After playing Codon Bingo, the students will find it easier to transcribe the DNA base
pair messages into mRNA codons and to translate the mRNA codons into an amino acid sequence.

Concepts
• Amino acids • Nucleotide (base) pairing rules • Transcription
• DNA • RNA • Translation

Background
The DNA that makes up the human genome can be subdivided into genes. Each gene encodes for a protein (or part of a
protein) that performs a specific function in a cell. The two-step process of transcription and translation is responsible for
transforming the DNA instructions into a functional protein. During transcription the DNA code is copied into a strand of
messenger RNA (mRNA). The nucleotide pairing rules for transcribing DNA to RNA are slightly different than the base
pairing rules for replicating a strand of DNA. In DNA, the purine adenine (A) always pairs with the pyrimidine thymine
(T), and the pyrimidine cytosine (C) always pairs with the purine guanine (G). In RNA, the pyrimidine cytosine (C) still
pairs with the purine guanine (G), but the purine adenine (A) pairs with the pyrimidine uracil (U). The strand of mRNA
travels out to the cytoplasm of the cell. In the cytoplasm a ribosome binds to the mRNA strand at a specific point called a
start codon. The ribosome reads three mRNA nucleotides at a time—these base triplets are called codons.
A single mRNA nucleotide sequence—adenine-uracil-guanine (AUG)—acts as the starting point for the translation of any
mRNA into a chain of amino acids. There are three different codons that are read as “stop” by the ribosome, causing the
ribosome to detach from the mRNA strand. The remaining 61 of the 64 possible nucleotide combinations codons corre-
spond to one of the twenty amino acids used to form an amino acid chain that will become a protein. Each mRNA codon
is matched to an anticodon on a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule. The tRNA molecule has two key areas that are important
for translation. The first area is the anticodon. The anticodon is a triplet base nucleotide sequence that mirrors and is com-
plementary to the 64 codon sequences found in mRNA. The second area on tRNA has a specific amino acid bonded to it.
The codons are a universal code, meaning that each mRNA codon codes for the same amino acid in all living things from
bacteria to humans. It is the specific sequence of amino acids that varies in different proteins. Changes in the amino acid
sequence cause the amino acid string to bend and fold in unique ways, creating unique proteins for each organism.

Materials
Amino Acid Decoding Chart Index cards, 64
Bingo card, blank Small cups to hold the bingo chips
Bingo chips, 25 per student

Procedure
  1. Using index cards, create the bingo “draw cards” by writing the name of an amino acid, an mRNA codon for that
amino acid (or stop), and the DNA code that corresponds to the mRNA codon. Create one card for each of the 64
RNA codons.
  2. Create bingo cards using a word processing program. Bingo cards have five columns and five rows, creating twenty-five
empty boxes. If desired, a free-space may be added to the center box of each bingo card.
  3. Have the students randomly write the name of all 20 amino acids plus stop on the bingo card. Five amino acids must be
used twice to fill the bingo card. Note: Students should not use methionine or tryptophan more than once as they only
have one RNA code.

1 © 2017 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Publication No. 10882
100917

BIO-FAX. . .makes science teaching easier.

Codon Bingo continued

  4. Give an Amino Acid Decoding Chart and a small cup containing 25 bingo chips to each student.
  5. Shuffle the bingo draw cards and begin the first game.
  6. Draw one bingo draw card. Call out the mRNA codon. Students must use the Amino Acid Decoding Chart to translate
the mRNA codon into the amino acid. If the student’s bingo card has the amino acid, a bingo chip should be placed on that
box.
  7. Lay the bingo draw card to one side. It will be used to check the winner’s bingo card. Give the students enough time—
especially in the beginning of the game—before drawing the next game piece.
  8. Continue to call out mRNA codons until a student says “Bingo!” Check the winner’s bingo card against the bingo draw
cards. If the student has made a mistake continue to call out new mRNA codons; otherwise, have the students clear the
bingo cards and start a new game.
  9. Advanced variation—rather than call out mRNA codons, call out the DNA bases. Students must first transcribe the DNA
to mRNA, and then translate the mRNA code to the amino acid.

NGSS Alignment
This laboratory activity relates to the following Next Generation Science Standards (2013):

Disciplinary Core Ideas: Middle School Science and Engineering Practices Crosscutting Concepts
MS-LS1 F
 rom Molecules to Organisms: Structures Developing and using models Patterns
and Processes Analyzing and interpreting data Cause and effect
LS1.A: Structure and Function Constructing explanations and designing Structure and function
MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits  solutions
LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits
LS3.B: Variation of Traits
Disciplinary Core Ideas: High School
HS-LS1 F
 rom Molecules to Organisms: Structures
and Processes
LS1.A: Structure and Function
HS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

Tips
• Most student textbooks contain an amino acid decoding chart or table. Three versions are typically found in textbooks—
two versions are tables, whereas the third version is circular with the amino acids appearing as “spokes on a wheel.” Allow
students to use the type of chart they are likely to use during a test.
• Bingo may be called when any five spaces across are filled, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Four corners, post
age stamp, or blackout are less traditional bingo choices. Play the game with as many or as few bingo variations as you
desire.

Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Cynthia Mannix for bringing this activity to our attention.

A Codon Bingo Kit is available from Flinn Scientific, Inc.

Catalog No. Description
FB1112 Codon Bingo Kit
Consult your Flinn Scientific Catalog/Reference Manual for current prices.

2 © 2017 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Amino Acid Decoding Chart
mRNA

Glutamic Acid Phenylalanine

Serine

Glycine
Aspartic Acid

Tyrosine
Alanine Gly Phe Leu
Glu
Ser
Asp U C A G U C AG U
AG CA
C G Tyr Cysteine
U
Ala G G U U
C (sto )
p)
A
C A C A (stop
Valine U G
G C A U Cys
Val A C
C
U
U G G U A (stop)
G Trp
Tryptophan
G U
Arg A G U
C
U
A C C
A Leu
Ser
G A C G Leucine
A U
Lys C
C A A
C
U U G G Pro
Asn G U
Lysine A C
CU A
G A G His Proline
Thr C U G A CU
Gln
Met
rt)

Ile Arg
(sta

Asparagine

Histidine
Threonine
Isoleucine
Glutamine

Methionine
Arginine

3 © 2017 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved.