DNA Structure & Basics
What are the 3 parts of a nucleotide?
Sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base
What is DNA copying called?
Replication
What is transcription?
Making mRNA from DNA
What is a codon?
3 bases on mRNA
What is a mutation?
A change in DNA
Which bases pair together in DNA?
A–T and C–G
Which enzyme unzips the DNA?
Helicase
What base does RNA use instead of thymine?
Uracil
Where does translation occur?
Ribosome
What are the two major types of mutations?
Point mutation and frameshift
Which scientist discovered that A = T and G = C?
Erwin Chargaff
Which enzyme adds new nucleotides?
DNA polymerase
Where does transcription occur in eukaryotic cells?
Nucleus
What is the start codon?
AUG
What are the two parts of an operon?
Bonus if you can name what happens when a repressor binds to the operon.
Promoter and Operator
Transcription is blocked
Find the complementary DNA strand:
GGC TTA CAA
CCG AAT GTT
During replication, this parent strand is exposed:
CGA TTA GGC
What is the daughter strand?
GCT AAT CCG
Transcribe this DNA strand into mRNA:
TAC GCA TTT
AUG CGU AAA
Translate the mRNA to amino acids
mRNA: AUG CCC AAA UGA
Start – Proline – Lysine – Stop
Original DNA: TAC GGA TTT
Mutated DNA: TAC GCA TTT
What type of mutation occurred?
Point Mutation (silent)
Which scientist used X-ray images to reveal DNA’s twisted shape?
Rosalind Franklin
Which scientists built the first correct model of DNA?
James Watson and Francis Crick
Which scientists proved DNA — not protein — carries genetic information?
Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase
Who discovered the “transforming principle” using mice?
Frederick Griffith
In eukaryotes, what helps RNA polymerase bind to DNA?
Transcription factors