Study Guide: Cell Test III- DNA and Protein Synthesis
Biology I
1. Nucleic Acid Structure
A. Identify and sketch the parts of a nucleotide (the building blocks of DNA and
RNA)
B. Describe and diagram how a nucleotide attaches to another nucleotide to build a
polymer, like DNA or RNA
C. Explain and be able to use Chargaff’s rules of complementary bases
o A=T
o G=C
 Given % A or T
 100 – (A + T) = (G + C)
 (G + C)/2 = G or C
 This works the same if given % G or C
2. DNA Replication
A. For what cell process does DNA replication have to take place?
B. What is semiconservative replication? Be able to explain and diagram
C. What are the functions of the following enzymes in DNA replication?
o Helicase
o DNA Polymerase
D. Describe the stages of DNA replication
3. DNA and RNA Structure
A. What is the shape of a DNA? What are the shapes of mRNA and tRNA?
B. What are the key differences between DNA and RNA?
o RNA has _______________ instead of deoxyribose sugar
o RNA is _______________ _________________ instead of double stranded
o RNA has _______________ as a nitrogen base instead of Thymine
o RNA can be found in the ______________________ as well as the nucleus.
4. Protein Synthesis
A. Identify the role of each in protein synthesis
 Gene (& triplet)
 mRNA (& codon)
 tRNA (& anticodon)
 ribosome
 amino acid
B. Describe the basic steps of transcription and translation
C. Be able to use a codon chart to translate a given DNA or mRNA sequence (review
practice problems in notes and homework)
5. Mutations
A. Explain the differences between the 2 types of mutations
o Chromosomal
o Point (or gene)
B. Describe the cause and explain the effect on protein synthesis of the following types
of point mutations:
o Missense
o Non-sense
o Frame-shift
C. Explain how mutations effect the traits:
o Silent (explain how this is caused by “code degeneracy”)
o Change or Loss of Function