CP Biology – DNA Structure, Replication, Translation and Transcription Guide
--with Objectives and Study Guide
Every cell contains DNA, which directs protein synthesis. Instructions for creating proteins are encoded
in the nucleotide sequence in DNA. The DNA sequence codes for the specific sequences of amino acids
that comprise protein characteristics.
OBJECTIVE #1
Describe the basic structure (double helix, sugar/phosphate backbone, linked by complementary
nucleotide pairs) of DNA and describe its function in genetic inheritance.
Lesson
Reading
Homework
Terms for Flashcards
Assignment
Questions to
Answer
Read:
Discovery and
A. Structure
deoxyribose
adenine
http://bit.ly/1broF47
Characterization of
and Function phosphate
thymine
and
the Genetic Material http://bit.ly/1eybh2y
of DNA
nucleotide
cytosine
DNA
purine
guanine
or Modern Biology pgs. 185-187
pyrimidine
double helix
and
Watson
&
Crick
paper
handed
To review:
base-pairing rules
http://bit.ly/1kVxSYj out or watch this:
http://bit.ly/1brSkKi
http://bit.ly/1keijx7
Can You:
 Explain the principal function of DNA.
 Describe the monomer structure of nucleic acids.
 Describe the structure of DNA including the covalent bonds that connect nucleotides and the
hydrogen bonds that connect bases to each other.
 Explain the complementary base pairing.
EXTRAS
The Big Picture: Watch and Think at http://bit.ly/MtLLAX
Movie to Watch: Cracking the Code of Life http://to.pbs.org/1irfa9w
Practice: http://bit.ly/1b2wjHA
Quiz Yourself: http://bit.ly/1iqWvdL
Going Further – The Scientific Process in Action: Can Arsenic Really Replace Phosphorus in Macromolecules Including DNA?:
http://bit.ly/1eUxZhE
OBJECTIVE #2
2. a. Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and
conservation of the genetic code.
2. b. Explain the basic process of transcription.
2. c. Explain the basic process translation.
Lesson
Reading & Watching
Homework
Terms for Flashcards
Assignments
Questions to
Answer
Read
all
parts:
Replication
B. DNA
tRNA
rRNA
mRNA
http://bit.ly/1e3UQWV
To Review:
Replication/
semi-conservative
or Modern Biology pgs. 188-191
http://bit.ly/1nUXNSs
Types of RNA replication DNA polymerase
or
helicase
replication fork
http://bit.ly/1eVg4au
ribose
uracil
Read
these:
Central Dogma and
C. Process of
central dogma editing
http://bit.ly/LyUSzt
Transcription
Transcription intron
exon
http://bit.ly/1fvmsqE
promoter
transcription
or Modern Biology pgs. 191-192
Watch one of these:
To review:
http://bit.ly/1bw289x http://bit.ly/1gMMbA5
Translation
To review:
http://bit.ly/1c4WVlF
or
http://bit.ly/1c51egO
http://bit.ly/1fvndjy
http://bit.ly/1fI4yDo
Check this out:
http://bit.ly/1fvjmmr
Listen to this:
http://bit.ly/1bvbimD
Read these:
http://bit.ly/1eUJkhJ a
http://bit.ly/1lB8uuH
or Modern Biology pgs. 193-196
Practice: http://bit.ly/1d39IVc
Self-assembly - Watch and Think:
http://bit.ly/1fSxOXv
RNA polymerase
transcription factors
gene
promoters
termination signal
TATA box
D. Process of
Translation
translation
amino acid
codon
protein
anticodon
ribosome
genetic code expression
polypeptide
protein synthesis
initiation (start) codon
termination (stop) codon
Can You:
 Explain the structure and functions of each type of RNA.
 Compare and contrast DNA and RNA.
 Summarize the main features of DNA replication and know the enzyme(s) involved. Identify where it
occurs.
 Describe the process of transcription and know the enzyme(s) involved. Identify where it occurs.
 Describe the process of translation. Identify where it occurs.
 Distinguish between a codon and an anticodon and know on what molecules each is found.
 Describe the structure and composition of proteins.
EXTRAS
Quiz Yourself: http://bit.ly/N3sx61 and http://bit.ly/1eUEnWi and http://bit.ly/1atUSN3 and http://bit.ly/N3FexL and
http://bit.ly/1b2nfSQ
Putting it All Together: Watch and Think at http://bit.ly/1fSz9O0
Going Above and Beyond: RNAi at http://bit.ly/1b30SwP or lac operon at http://bit.ly/1erqXGg
OBJECTIVE #3
Explain how mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may or may not result in phenotypic change in a
organism.
Lesson
Reading
Homework Terms for Flashcards
Assignment
Questions
to Answer
Read:
Mutation
E. Mutation mutation
http://bit.ly/N3ZvTH
reading frame
or
To review:
frame shift mutation
Modern Biology, Gene Mutation
http://bit.ly/1e4l4Zi pgs. 225-226
addition mutation
deletion mutation
Explore: http://bit.ly/LQp0qT
point mutation
substitution mutation
Can you:
 Distinguish between the three types of point mutations (addition, deletion, substitution) and describe
how they can affect protein structure.
EXTRAS
Movie to Watch: Cracking Your Genetic Code http://bit.ly/1isILzO
Quiz Yourself: http://bit.ly/1brmNs2
DNA Structure, Replication, Translation and Transcription
Homework Questions
A. Structure and Function of DNA
1. What is the main function of DNA?
2. Draw a nucleotide. Label the three parts. Write the names of the four different base options for a
nucleotide of DNA.
3. What forms the backbone of the DNA molecule?
4. What forms the rungs (inside) of the DNA molecule?
5. Identify the types and locations of covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds in a DNA molecule.
6. List the base pairing rules. State which bases are purines and which bases are pyrimidines.
7. What did you learn from the reading (or watching Watson) of the journal article that you didn’t
know before?
B. DNA Replication/Types of RNA
1. What is the goal of DNA replication? When would a cell need to perform DNA replication?
2. List the two enzymes involved with DNA replication and describe their roles.
Enzyme
Role
3. Describe one way DNA is checked for errors.
4. List the three types of RNA, their structure and their role in making proteins.
RNA
Structure
Role
5. List three structural differences between RNA and DNA. List two things they have in common.
C. Process of Transcription
1. Define transcription.
2. Describe the significance of promoter regions and termination signals in DNA.
3. Name and describe the function of the enzyme involved with transcription.
4. What are the products of transcription?
D. Process of Translation
1. Distinguish between a codon and an anticodon and explain the significance of each.
2. Describe the overall process of what happens in translation.
3. Explain the significance of the start codon and the stop codons.
4. What would translation of the mRNA transcript AAA-CAA-GGA-GCA-UCC produce?
E. Mutation
1. Describe what a point mutation is and describe three different point mutations.