Mechanisms of Inheritance Test Review
Outline significant scientific contributions/discoveries that led to the current
understanding of the structure and function of the DNA molecule. (Secret of
Life Video: Watson & Crick, Wilkins & Franklin, Pauling)
Describe the structure of a DNA nucleotide. (deoxyribose sugar, phosphate
group, and nitrogen bases)
Describe and draw the structure of a DNA molecule. (double helix,
nucleotides, base pairing, bonds)
Describe the process of DNA replication. (template, semi-conservative
replication, enzymes (helicase, DNA polymerase, ligase), leading strand,
lagging string, 5’ to 3’, Okazaki fragments)
Compare and contrast DNA and RNA in terms of their structure, use, and
location in the cell.
Outline the steps involved in protein synthesis. (coding DNA, template DNA,
mRNA, codon, anticodon, introns, exons, amino acid, transcription, tRNA,
anticodon, ribosome, translation)
Understand genetic mutations. (cause, types (chromosomal, point, frameshift,
insertion, deletion), consequences
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Vocabulary
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central dogma of molecular biology: doctrine that genetic instructions
in DNA are copied by RNA, which carries them to a ribosome where
they are used to synthesize a protein (DNA → RNA → protein)
Chargaff's rules: observations by Erwin Chargaff that concentrations
of the four nucleotide bases differ among species; and that, within a
species, the concentrations of adenine and thymine are always about
the same and the concentrations of cytosine and guanine are always
about the same
messenger RNA (mRNA): type of RNA that copies genetic instructions
from DNA in the nucleus and carries them to the cytoplasm
ribosomal RNA (rRNA): type of RNA that helps form ribosomes and
assemble proteins
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transfer RNA (tRNA): type of RNA that brings anticodons and amino
acids to ribosomes where they are joined together to form proteins
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codon: group of three nitrogen bases in nucleic acids that makes up a
code “word” of the genetic code and stands for an amino acid, start, or
stop
genetic code: universal code of three-base codons that encodes the
genetic instructions for the amino acid sequence of proteins
promoter: region of a gene where a RNA polymerase binds to initiate
transcription of the gene
protein synthesis: process in which cells make proteins that includes
transcription of DNA and translation of mRNA
transcription: process in which genetic instructions in DNA are copied
to form a complementary strand of mRNA
translation: process in which genetic instructions in mRNA are “read”
to synthesize a protein
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chromosomal alteration: mutation that changes chromosome structure
frameshift mutation: deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides
that changes the reading frame of the genetic material
genetic disorder: disease caused by a mutation in one or a few genes
germline mutation: mutation that occur in gametes
mutagen: environmental factor that causes mutations
mutation: change in the sequence of bases in DNA or RNA
point mutation: change in a single nucleotide base in the genetic
material
somatic mutation: mutation that occurs in cells of the body other than
gametes
Practice Questions:
1. What are the base pairs? Why do they arrange themselves in this way?
2. What are the differences between DNA and RNA?
3. What is the purpose of DNA?
4. What is the purpose of mRNA?
5. What is the purpose of tRNA?
6. What is the purpose of amino acids?
7. Transcription:
a) What is the purpose?
b) Where does it happen?
c) What molecules are involved?
d) What are the steps involved?
e) What processes occur after mRNA is transcribed, and before it is
translated?
8. Translation:
a) What is the purpose?
b) Where does it happen?
c) What molecules are involved?
d) What are the steps involved?
9. Complete the following table:
DNA Coding
Strand
DNA
Template
Strand
codon
anticodon
amino acid
GCG
GTA
AAC
tryptophan
AGC
10. The following is a strand of coding DNA.
5’-ATGCGGATAAAAATATCC-3
a) List the template DNA
b) List the mRNA
c) How many codon are there?
d) List the anticodons
e) List the amino acid sequence
11. Mutations:
a) What are the sources of mutations?
b) What type of mutations are there?
c) Why aren’t all mutations harmful?
***These are samples of concepts that are important to understand. Make
sure you are also studying your notes, assignments, and labs. The test will be
a combination of multiple choice and written response.