3D Protein Synthesis Inside a Cell Simulation
From gene to folded protein

Hands-on laboratory

Mission: transcribe a gene, export its mRNA, and watch a ribosome build a protein.
12 codons
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80%
85%
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Live measurements

StageReady
Active codon—
Amino acids0 / 12
Proteins made0

The DNA is protected inside the nucleus. Press Start to begin transcription.

Production graph

mRNA progressprotein progress

Microscope & camera

Focus: noneTap a structure
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Drag to pan. Wheel or pinch to zoom. Tap nucleus, DNA, pore, ribosome, tRNA, rough ER, Golgi, or vesicle for a live microscopic view.

Teacher / Demo tools

Interactive teacher-led lesson

A five-second visual hook begins the lecture. Every sentence controls the organelle, arrow, camera, and microscopic event shown on the canvas.

Ready. The lecture will not start automatically.
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Ready for the journey

What to watch: the cell is waiting. Press Start Complete Lecture.

The lesson begins only when you choose to start it.

Learning objectives

  • Trace information from a DNA gene to a finished protein.
  • Explain how RNA polymerase builds complementary mRNA.
  • Connect codons, tRNA anticodons, and amino acids.
  • Predict how energy, supply, and mutation affect protein production.
  • Distinguish transcription, translation, folding, and transport.

Key concepts demonstrated

DNA keeps the instructions. During transcription, RNA polymerase reads one DNA strand and makes mRNA. The mRNA exits through a nuclear pore. A ribosome reads it three bases at a time. Matching tRNA brings amino acids, which are joined into a chain. The chain folds into a working protein, often with help from rough ER and Golgi.

Try these experiments

  • Lower cell energy and compare production speed.
  • Reduce amino-acid supply; watch the ribosome pause while correct tRNA arrives.
  • Choose Mutation comparison and observe an early stop codon.
  • Tap each structure to compare its microscopic job.

Questions for exploration

  • Why can mRNA leave the nucleus while DNA stays?
  • What prevents the wrong amino acid from being added?
  • Why might one base change have no effect, alter one amino acid, or stop synthesis?

Real-world connections

Cells use this pathway to make enzymes, antibodies, receptors, and hormones such as insulin. Many antibiotics work by disrupting bacterial ribosomes, and some genetic diseases arise when a DNA change alters a protein.

Common misconceptions

  • The ribosome does not read DNA directly; it reads mRNA.
  • tRNA does not become part of the protein; it delivers an amino acid.
  • Proteins are not useful as straight chains; their three-dimensional folding matters.
  • A mutation is not always harmful; its effect depends on the codon and protein.

Protein synthesis challenge

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