DNA Structure, Replication and Protein Synthesis
Essential Questions and Mastery Objectives
Essential Questions

How the simple structure of DNA lead to such incredible diversity of living
things?
 How do your genes determine your traits?
 What is a gene and what do they do?
 How does the information from DNA get converted into traits?
Mastery Objectives
DNA
 Know what DNA stands for. Be able to list and identify the parts of a DNA
molecule
 Identify where DNA is located in the cell
 Be able to discuss the roles of the following scientists related to the DNA
molecule:
o Chargaff
o Watson and Crick
 Be able to relate and compare the DNA molecule to chromosome
structure
DNA Replication
 Define DNA replication
 Be able to summarize the events of DNA replication
o Identify the part of the cell cycle when DNA replication occurs
o Define helicase and DNA polymerase and describe their functions
o Identify a replication fork and describe how it enables DNA to be
copied
 Determine the complementary strand of DNA when given the original
strand
RNA
 Know what RNA stands for. Be able to list the parts of a RNA molecule
 List the differences and similarities between DNA and RNA
 Be able discuss the functions, structures and locations of the three main
types of RNA: messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA
turn over 
Transcription
 Define transcription
 Describe how transcription occurs
o Know where transcription occurs in the cell
o Define both RNA polymerase and promoter and be able to explain
their roles in transcription
 RNA Editing
o Describe the editing that occurs to RNA
o Know the location within the cell where RNA editing takes place
o Define introns and exons and describe how they relate to RNA
editing
Translation
 Define translation
 Summarize the events of translation
o Know where translation occurs within the cell
o Be able to explain mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA’s roles in translation
 Define codon and anticodon and know their functions in translation
 Describe what start and stop codons do in translation. List the codon that
starts translation
 Be able to transcribe and translate a DNA sequence into a polypeptide
 Describe the role of proteins in the function of a living organism
Gene Mutations
 Define a gene mutation (as opposed to a chromosomal mutation)
 Be able to define, identify and classify (as either point mutations or
frameshift mutations) the following types of mutations: substitution,
insertion, and deletion
 Discuss the significance of different types of mutations (both positive and
negative)