DNA & Protein Synthesis Test Study Guide
SOL: BIO 5 (e, g, h, and j)
NAME: ____ _______________________
Match the scientists with their contribution.
A) Erwin Chargaff
B) Rosalind Franklin
C) Watson & Crick
__ __ 1. Discovered the base pairing rules and the ratios of base pairs in different species
__ __ 2. Credited with discovering the structure of the DNA double helix.
__ __ 3. Took the first picture of DNA using the process of X-ray diffraction
Match the parts in the diagram with the correct label.
__ ___ Ribosome
__ ___ Nucleus
__ ___ Messenger RNA (mRNA)
__ ___ Anticodon
__ ___ Amino Acid
__ ____ Codon
__ ____ Transfer RNA (tRNA)
4. Which type of RNA takes the DNA code to the ribosome? _ ________
6. A DNA nucleotide is made up of a phosphate group, along with __ _______________ and a __
______________ __ _____.
7. The backbone of a DNA molecule is made of which two components?_ _ & _ _____
9. When mRNA is made, thymine is replaced with what base? __________
11. Two researchers, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin, used X-ray crystallography to make pictures of
DNA such as the one below. The picture shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of DNA. This type of image helps
show that DNA’s shape is a _ ___________ ___ _____.
12. Which type of RNA brings amino acids to the ribosomes? __ _______
13. The “code word” or codon for an amino acid is made of how many nitrogen bases? _________
14. Amino acid molecules, bound together into big molecules, form _ ____________
15. The process by which a DNA molecule is copied (DNA -> DNA) is called _ _____.
16. DNA does NOT contain the nitrogen base _)__________.
17. When transcription has been completed, what molecule has been made? __ _______
18. The DNA of all living things contains the same four nitrogen bases. True or False? __ _______
19. Put the following molecules in the correct sequence to describe the production of a protein in a cell.
mRNA, protein, DNA
_____________  ___ ____________  ___ ____________
20. Match the nitrogenous bases as found in DNA.
_______A____ goes with ____ _________
_______ _____ goes with ____ _________
21. Match the nitrogenous bases as found in RNA.
_______A____ goes with _____ ________
_______ _____ goes with ____ _________
Circle the correct choice:
22. Translation is the process in which (mRNA / tRNA) code is read and converted into a specific amino acid
sequence in a protein.
23. As the mRNA codons are read, the tRNA molecules carrying their amino acids bind to the mRNA in
the (nucleus / ribosome).
24. After the amino acids are linked, the tRNA is released and returns to the cytoplasm to pick up
another (nucleotide / amino acid)
Decode a DNA gene into a protein!
Say that you are a biologist studying the protein found in skunk fur. You have already determined that the
DNA molecule present in skunk fur production cells has the following base sequence.
CAC
ATG
ATA
TCT
TCC
TGA
AAT
ACC
CCC
CGA
In order to determine the amino acid chain making up skunk fur protein, follow these steps:
Write out the corresponding bases (codons) of mRNA
_
Using the mRNA codon chart write the amino acids making up skunk fur protein. Abbreviations are fine.
1__ ______
2________
3___ ______ 4__ _______
5__ _______ 6___ ______ 7__ _______ 8__ _______
9__ ______
10___ _____
Write the “arrow language” for the three major processes we have learned about in this unit using the terms
DNA, mRNA, and protein.
Replication =
Transcription =
Translation =