The challenge in teaching protein synthesis, is how to make an abstract topic tangible and real. Textbook diagrams are just as difficult to follow as reading the text. By using different strategies which involve the students use of all their senses, I attempt to make the genetic code and how it translates into proteins relevant and fun. They are facinated to see that DNA is a real thing that can be seen and touched and that it is a substance that is in their cells also. Secondly, to simplify the genetic code, I relate it to the six dot braille code.
Braille is based on different combinations of six dots.
The combinations of six dots in a braille cell make one letter or sign, several letters together make a word, several words make a sentence. There is a capital sign that begins a sentence and a punctuation sign that ends a sentence. In the triplet genetic code of the DNA molecule, the letters are the nitrogen bases, the words are the codons which code for an amino acid, the sentences are the proteins. AUG is the capital sign that starts the protein and there are three codons or punctuation signs to end the protein. If students can understand the braille alphabet, then they will understand the alphabet of the genetic code.