DNA
What are the four nitrogen bases found in DNA?
A: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G)
In translation, what type of RNA carries the codons that determine the amino acid sequence?
mRNA
What is the complementary strand of A-T-C-G?
T-A-G-C
This type of RNA carries the genetic code from DNA to the ribosome.
What is mRNA (messenger RNA)?
An mRNA sequence reads UAUGGCCAUUGACUGAAGCU. Identify all codons, indicate the start codon, and determine which codon would signal termination during translation.
SURPRISE THIS IS WORK 700 POINTS
A:
Codons (3 nucleotides each):
UAU | GGC | CAU | UGA | CUG | AAG | CU (last codon incomplete, ignored)
Start codon: AUG (in this sequence, GGC follows UAU—if considering standard translation, translation would start at first AUG encountered; there is no AUG here, so translation does not initiate unless context gives AUG upstream)
Stop codon: UGA (signals termination)
If a DNA strand has the sequence A-T-C-G, what is the complementary strand?
T-A-G-C
(A pairs with T, C pairs with G)
What type of RNA brings amino acids to the ribosome and matches codons using anticodons?
tRNA
What is the complementary strand of G-G-A-T?
C-C-T-A
If the mRNA codon is AUG, this amino acid is always the start of a protein chain.
What is Methionine (Met)?
mRNA is read in groups of three nucleotides called this.
What is a codon?
Explain the difference between DNA replication and transcription.
Replication: Makes a complete copy of DNA using DNA polymerase; occurs before cell division.
Transcription: Copies a gene into mRNA using RNA polymerase; first step of protein synthesis.
If the mRNA codon is AUG, what would the tRNA anticodon be?
UAC
What is the complementary strand of G-A-A-T-T-C?
C-T-T-A-A-G
The sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid is called this.
What is a codon?
If the mRNA sequence is AUGGCU, breaking it into codons gives these two codons.
What are AUG and GCU?
How does the structure of DNA allow it to store and pass genetic information from one generation to the next?
DNA’s double-helix structure, base-pairing rules, and sequence of nucleotides allow it to store codes for traits and be accurately copied during replication so the genetic code is passed to daughter cells/offspring.
What is the name of the bond formed between amino acids as tRNA assembles them at the ribosome?
Peptide bond
What is the complementary strand of A-T-G-C-C-A-T-G-A?
T-A-C-G-G-T-A-C-T
Given the DNA template strand TAC GGA TTT, write the mRNA transcript and identify the corresponding tRNA anticodons for translation.
mRNA transcript: AUG CCU AAA
tRNA anticodons: UAC GGA UUU
Why is it important to break mRNA into codons before translation?
What is because each codon codes for a specific amino acid, and proper reading ensures the correct protein is made?
Describe the full process of protein synthesis, starting with DNA in the nucleus and ending with a completed polypeptide chain.
Transcription occurs in the nucleus: DNA → mRNA.
mRNA leaves nucleus and goes to ribosome.
Translation begins: tRNA brings amino acids based on codons on mRNA.
Ribosome links amino acids together forming a polypeptide chain → becomes a protein.
Explain the role of rRNA, mRNA, and tRNA in protein synthesis, and describe how codons and anticodons pair during translation.
mRNA carries the coded instructions from DNA.
tRNA brings amino acids using anticodons that pair with mRNA codons.
rRNA forms the ribosome and helps assemble the protein.
Codons (mRNA) pair with anticodons (tRNA) to determine the amino acid order.
you have 20 seconds to complete
A-T-C-G-G-C-C-A-A-T-T-C-C-G-G-A-C-A-C-T-T-G-C-A--T-T-C-C-G-G-A-G-C-G
DNA template strand:
mRNA transcript:
You have 3 mins : TAC GGA TTT CCG ATC AAA GGT TAG CCG TAA
DNA: TAC GGA TTT CCG ATC AAA GGT TAG CCG TAA
mRNA: AUG CCU AAA GGC UAG UUU CCA AUC GGC AUU
Given the mRNA sequence AUGGCCAAAUUUGGA, break it into codons and identify which one is the start codon.
Codons: AUG | GCC | AAA | UUU | GGA
Start codon: AUG