MA STANDARD:
Broad Concept: Genes allow for the storage and transmission of genetic information. They are a set of instructions encoded in the nucleotide sequence of each organism. Genes code for the specific sequences of amino acids that comprise the proteins that are characteristic of that organism.
STRUCTURE OF DNA & RNA
Describe the basic structure (double helix, sugar/phosphate backbone, linked by complementary nucleotide pairs) of DNA
Describe its function in genetic inheritance
REPLICATION, TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION
Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic code.
Explain the basic processes of transcription and translation, and how they result in the expression of genes.
Distinguish among the end products of replication, transcription, and translation.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1.
How is the structure of DNA related to its function of storing genetic information and controlling the activities of the cell
2.
What is RNA’s role in protein synthesis
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
 Explain the principal function of DNA.
 Describe the structure of DNA: o double helix o sugar/phosphate backbone o complementary nucleotide pairs
 Explain the role of complementary base pairing in the replication of DNA.
 Explain the main process of DNA replication.
 Explain the primary function of RNA.
 Compare the structure of RNA with that of DNA.
 Describe the structure and function of each type of RNA.
 Explain the process of transcription.
 Describe the genetic code.
 Explain the roles of the start codon and stop codon.
 Explain the process of translation.
nucleotide purines complementary base pairs replication fork
DNA replication transcription ribose transfer RNA termination signal anticodon deoxyribose pyrimidines base sequence
DNA polymerases mutation translation messenger RNA
RNA polymerase genetic code genome nitrogenous base base pairing rules helicases semi-conservative replication ribonucleic acid (RNA) protein synthesis ribosomal RNA promoter codon


Deoxyribonucleic acid
 Makes up the chromosomes in the nucleus and
DNA STRUCTURE never leaves the nucleus

A chromosome is a chain of different genes

DNA has a double helix shape

Has four types of bases: adenine (A), guanine
(G), thymine (T), cytosine (C)

A binds T and G binds C

DNA is complementary, which means that the bases on one strand match up to the bases on the other strand o For example: Strand 1: ATG CCT GAC
Strand 2: TAC GGA CTG

Semi conservative replication is the process by which DNA copies itself and each new piece of DNA is made up of 1 old strand and 1 new strand

Ribonucleic acid

RNA is a copy of DNA that goes out into the cytoplasm to tell the cell what to do in order to stay alive

RNA is single stranded and has uracil (U) rather than thymine (T) o U binds A and G binds C o If the DNA: ATG CCA AAG
Then the RNA will be: UAC GGU UUC
 1. Transcription: DNA in the nucleus is used to make messenger RNA (mRNA) o DNA has all the directions the cell needs to live

2. RNA moves out into the cytoplasm o RNA carries the directions to other parts of the cell
 3. Translation: The RNA attaches to a ribosome and directs the production of a protein o Proteins do all the work in the cell o Every 3 bases in RNA is called a codon and codes for 1 amino acid
DNA REPLICATION
RNA STRUCTURE