DNA Study Guide
Concepts
□ I can summarize the historical events that led to the discovery of the structure of
the DNA molecule as demonstrated by Franklin, Watson and Crick.
□ I can describe, in general, how genetic information is contained in the sequence of
bases in DNA molecules in chromosomes.
□ I can describe, in general, how the DNA molecules replicate themselves
□ I can describe, in general, how the genetic information is transcribed into
sequences of bases in RNA molecules and is finally translated into sequences of
amino acids in proteins.
□ I can explain, in general, how restriction enzymes cut DNA molecules into
smaller fragments and how ligases reassemble them.
□ I can explain, in general, how cells can be transformed by inserting new DNA
sequences into their genomes.
□ I can explain how a random change (mutation) in the sequence of bases results in
abnormalities or provides a source of genetic variability.
□ I can explain how sequences of nucleic acids contained in the nucleus,
mitochondria and chloroplasts gives evidence for the relationships among
organisms of different species by examining similarities and differences in base
sequences.
Vocabulary
Complementary Base
Pairing
Antiparallel
DNA Replication
Semiconservative
Replication
Template
DNA Helicase
DNA Polymerase III
Leading Strand
Lagging Strand
DNA Polymerase I
DNA ligase
Gene Expression
RNA
Transcription
mRNA
Translation
RNA Polymerase
Promoter
Template Strand
Termination Sequence
Codon
Start Codon
Stop Codon
Ribosome
tRNA
Anticodon
Recombinant DNA
Genetic Transformation
Restriction Endonuclease
Recognition Site
Palindromic
Sticky Ends
Blunt Ends
Methylase
PCR
Vector
Transgenic
Plasmid
Multiple Cloning Site
Point Mutation
Gene Mutation
Silent Mutation
Missense Mutation
Nonsense Mutation
Deletion
Insertion
Frameshift Mutation
Translocation
Inversion
Spontaneous Mutation
Mutagenic Agent
Induced Mutation
Phylogeny
SINEs
LINEs