DNA structure & organisation
State the components of a DNA nucleotide found at the 5' and 3' ends of a DNA strand respectively
5' = Phosphate
3' = Deoxyribose (sugar)
Primers
Template DNA
DNA nucleotides
ATP
Enzymes/ DNA polymerase/ DNA ligase
Give the DNA base sequence from which the mRNA sequence below has been transcribed.
UUA GGC CGA UAG
AAT CCG GCT ATC
What term describes the coding regions of the genome ?
Genes
Which three countries are currently co-hosting the biggest FIFA Men's World Cup in history?
The United States (USA), Canada, and Mexico
Describe one structural difference between DNA and RNA molecules
DNA is double stranded is single stranded
DNA has the base Thymine , RNA has the base Uracil
State two practical applications of PCR
Diagnose genetic disorders
Forensics to solve crimes
Paternity testing
Name type of bond which ...
- Causes tRNA to fold into it's distinct shape
- Forms temporarily between codons and anticodons
- Joins amino acids during translation
- Hydrogen
- Hydrogen
- Peptide
Define the term 'genome'
All of an organism's hereditary information encoded in its DNA
Glasgow, Scotland is stepping in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games from July 23rd to August 2nd. Which Australian state was originally supposed to host them before pulling out due to funding issues?
Victoria
Describe how DNA would be organised in a typical leaf cell of a plant
Linear chromosomes in the nucleus
Circular chromosomes in the mitochondria AND chloroplasts
In the second stage of PCR DNA is cooled.
State a suitable temperature for this stage and explain why DNA must be cooled
50-65 degrees Celsius
To allow primers to bind/ anneal to target DNA
Describe the difference between the primary mRNA transcript and the mature mRNA transcript
The primary mRNA transcript contains introns and exons. The mature mRNA transcript only has exons.
Describe two functions of the non-coding regions of the genome
Regulate transcription
Transcribed to produced tRNA/ rRNA
OR transcribed but not translated
Who is the writer and director of the upcoming epic mythic action film The Odyssey, releasing on July 17th, 2026
Christopher Nolan
Describe what is meant by the term 'antiparallel' in relation to DNA structure
One DNA strand runs from the 5' end to the 3' end and the complementary DNA strand runs from the 3' end to the 5' end
A biologist sets up two PCR tubes:
Tube A starts with 40 copies of DNA and runs for 6 cycles.
Tube B starts with 160 copies of DNA and runs for 3 cycles. Determine which tube will contain more DNA copies at the end of their runs, and calculate the difference between them.
Tube A = 2560
Tube B = 1280
Difference = 1280 , Tube A has more copies
Describe one role of RNA polymerase in transcription
Unwinds the DNA and breaks the hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
Adds (complementary) RNA nucleotides to the 3' end of the primary mRNA transcript
The UK's highest June temperature on record was set on Friday 26th June 2026. What was the temperature to the nearest degree Celsius?
37.7 rounded to
38 degrees Celsius
Approximately 31% of the bases in Human DNA are Adenine.
a) State the percentage of Cytosine in Human DNA.
b) Yeast have the same percentage of each DNA base as Humans but are very different species. Explain this.
a) 19%
b) The bases are in a different order in yeast compared to human DNA
Describe AND explain the difference in the replication of the leading and lagging strands of a DNA molecule
Explanation: Because DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to the 3' end of the new DNA strand/ can only add nucleotides in a 5' to 3' direction
Explain how different proteins can be produced from a single gene
In which different combinations of exons are joined/spliced together
to produce different mature mRNA transcripts
The 23rd edition of the UK's Download Festival secured an incredible exclusive line-up for June 2026.
Name one of three legendary rock/metal bands which topped the bill as their only UK performance of the year?
Limp Bizkit
Guns N' Roses
Linkin Park