Study Guide for DNA Structure, DNA Replication
and Gene Expression (Transcription and Translation): Chapter 8
Be able to explain the structure and function of DNA.
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Understand that DNA is a double helix composed of two strands of nucleotides and be able to
describe this shape.
Know the three parts of a nucleotide.
Understand that the nitrogen base is the part of the nucleotide that forms the genetic code, and be
able to name the four possible nitrogen bases in a DNA nucleotide.
Know how the nucleotides are organized in the strands
Know the complementary nitrogen base pairings
Be able to explain the overall process of DNA replication including:
 The roles of the enzymes helicase and DNA polymerase
 Origin of each strand in the daughter DNA molecules
 When and where the process occurs
Understand that each gene is the information to build one protein or polypeptide chain in a protein.
Be able to explain that gene expression (producing the protein encoded by a gene) involves two steps,
transcription and translation.
Transcription:
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Be able to explain the purpose of transcription
Be able to compare and contrast DNA and RNA (at least 3 differences)
Be able to explain the process of transcription including the role of RNA polymerase
Be able to explain the processing of eukaryotic mRNA (removal of introns)
Translation
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Be able to explain the process of translation including:
 The purpose of translation
 The site of translation
 Structure of a tRNA molecule. Be able to compare and contrast the structure
and function of mRNA molecules and tRNA molecules.
 Be able to explain what a codon is in mRNA and an anticodon in tRNA
 Be able to interpret a genetic code chart to determine what amino acid
sequence will be produced from a given mRNA sequence
 Understand that the genetic code is universal in all organisms and know the
significance of this for biotechnology.
Be able to define mutation. Know the difference between a point mutation and a frameshift mutation.
The website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/# has a practice activity on DNA replication
and protein synthesis.
Be able to define homeostasis.
Be able to explain what positive and negative feedback loops are and be able to identify
examples.
Be able to define equilibrium, dynamic equilibrium and static equilibrium. Be able to identify
examples of each.