BINDER BULLETIN AND UNIT STUDY OUTLINE
UNIT 4 Part 1: DNA
The Big Picture…
Understanding that many of a person’s characteristics are determined by an interaction between
genes (DNA) and the environment is key to understanding how we inherit our traits. Scientists have
mapped out and determined the location of most of our genes, including those that are responsible
for genetic disorders.
 Why might family members resemble one another?
Prerequisite Knowledge…You should be able to:
1. Students should know that DNA is stored in the nucleus
Suggested Resources:
Homework and Classwork Assignments
Laboratory Activities and Quizzes
Textbook pages: pp. 101-102, 126-133, and 36-137
Websites:
http://comelearnmore.com/websites-by-topic/genetics-games/
http://www.sciencespot.net/Pages/kdzbiogen.html
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/games/game_dogbreeding.html
Key Terms: DNA and Cell Division
 Adenine
 Mutation
 Thymine
 Messenger RNA
 Guanine
 Replication
 Cytosine
 Transcription
 Deoxyribonucleic acid
 Translation
 Phosphate
 Nucleotide
 Nitrogen base
 Chromosomes
 Hydrogen bond
 Meiosis
 Trait
 Sex cells
 RNA
 Sperm
 Gene
 Egg
 Protein
 Nondisjunction
By the conclusion of this unit, students will know:
_____1. DNA is stored as structures called chromosomes.
_____2. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
_____3. The DNA molecule is made of repeating subunits called nucleotides. A nucleotide consists
of a phosphate, sugar, and nitrogen base
_____4. There are four nitrogen bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. A always pairs
with T and G always pairs with C.
_____5. Watson, Crick and others contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA. The DNA
molecule is in the shape of a double helix.
_____6. The order of the nitrogen bases holds the genetic code.
_____7. During transcription, the code in DNA is copied into mRNA (messenger RNA). The mRNA is
able to leave the nucleus and go to the ribosome where the proteins are made.
_____8. Three nitrogen bases code for a specific amino acid
_____9. During translation, the code in the mRNA is used to make a protein at the ribosome. The
amino acids are linked together to a protein.
_____10. There are many different types of mutations.
_____11. A mutation can be harmful or helpful depending on whether it affects the organism’s ability
to survive and reproduce.
_____12. Meiosis is a specific type of cell division that produces sperm and egg cells.
_____13. The main difference between mitosis and meiosis is that during meiosis the number of
chromosomes needs to be cut in half.
By the conclusion of this unit, you should be able to do
_____1. Describe the structure of DNA and who contributed to its discovery.
_____2. Identify which nitrogen bases bond together and the benefit of this structure.
_____3. Explain why DNA needs to be transcribed into mRNA.
_____4. Explain what the genetic code is and what it is used to make.
_____5. Describe differences between mitosis and meiosis.
_____6. Explain how mutations could be both harmful and helpful with examples.