DNA
RNA
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
NAME ______________________
CLASS _____________
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 1
Essential Questions For DNA/RNA
1. What controls cell activity?
2. How are proteins made in the cell?
3. What is the 4th major biochemical molecule in the body?
4. What controls all life functions?
How does this affect my life?????
DNA/RNA
Vocabulary
Chromosome:
DNA:
Gene:
ATGC:
AUGC:
Helix:
Messenger RNA:
Nucleotide:
Nucleus:
Polypeptide:
Protein Synthesis:
Replication:
Ribosome:
Synthesis:
Translation:
Transcription:
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 2
VIDEO - Understanding:
The Power of Genes
PART I:
1. Identify 10 facts about DNA.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
2.
What is a clone?
3.
Explain two ways in which cows are being genetically modified to help humans.
i.
ii.
4.
How are pigs being genetically modified to help humans?
5.
What problems may occur from the genetic modifications discussed in Q’s 4 & 5?
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 3
VIDEO - Understanding:
The Power of Genes
PART II:
6.
Identical twins have identical DNA. Explain how they are or are not identical in every way
and aspect of their lives.
7.
Aside from physical characteristics, what else is controlled by our genes?
8.
What is the Human Genome Project?
9.
“Prediction are that genetic technology will have a greater impact then the industrial
revolution.” Explain why this statement was made in the video.
10. What benefits are offered through gene therapy?
11. What problems or quandaries do you see being created with gene therapy?
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 4
Molecular Genetics Notes
MOLECULAR GENETICS (see your textbook CH 12)
How do all of the cells of your body know what they are supposed to do? Learn how nucleic acids (DNA & RNA)
contain all of the information for life!
DNA Background
THE STRUCTURE OF DNA.
DNA is the abbreviation for _________________ ____________ __________.
It is the ____________ information that is passed from ______________ to generation.
DNA is found in the ___________ of every living cell.
If there were no DNA inside a cell, it would _______.
Every single _______ in our body has the exact same DNA. *Why?_____________________
*Do any 2 people have the exact same DNA? ______________________________________
The DNA in our ______, when tightly wound around itself makes up ________________.
The building blocks of DNA are called _____________________.
Nucleotides are made up of smaller parts also:
1. Sugar: ______________
2. Phosphate Group
3. Nitrogenous bases: They contain ____________ just like proteins!!
There are 4 different bases:
A- ______________
T- ______________
G- ______________
C- ______________
Draw a diagram of a nucleotide:
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 5
Concept: DNA
Section: Notes
Molecular Genetics Notes Cont’d
The shape of DNA was discovered by ________________ & ______________ . It is called the
____________-_________ model. They won the ___________ prize.
The DNA _____________ helix is made of ________ strands of alternating _____________ and
________ molecules, which are like the ______ of a ladder. The sides of the DNA “ladder” are
connected together by the four _____________ _____________ bases (these are like the rungs of
the ladder).
The four _____________ bases (nucleotides) bond together in a specific way:
____________ bonds to ____________
____________ bonds to ____________
ALWAYS!!!!!
This happens because opposites attract.
THE FUNCTION OF DNA
DNA Replication.

Replication means ________________________.

When would DNA need to copy (replicate) itself?

The process of DNA replication occurs by:
Explain this diagram:
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 6
Molecular Genetics Notes
Concept: RNA
Section: Notes
RNA Background
THE STRUCTURE OF RNA.
1. RNA stands for: ____________ ___________ _________

How is this different than DNA?
2. DNA and RNA are both organic molecules called __________________acids.
3. RNA is made up of subunits called _____________________.
a) sugar = _____________
(what was the sugar in DNA? ________________)
b) Nitrogenous __________
c) _____________________ group
4. Differences between DNA and RNA:
a) different _____________
b) ONE different base! Instead of T (thymine), there’s a U (__________)
c) RNA is only a ____________________ strand! (NOT a double helix)
The four _____________ bases bond together in a specific way in RNA also:
____________ bonds to ____________
____________ bonds to ____________
THE FUNCTION OF RNA
There are 3 types of RNA:
Types
Full Name
Function
Where it is found
in the cell
mRNA
tRNA
rRNA
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 7
Concept: DNA/RNA
Section: Notes
Molecular Genetics Notes Cont’d
DNA/RNA Comparison
RNA: _________________ _________________ _________
DNA: _________________ _________________ _________
Subunits (building blocks) of all nucleic acids: ________________________
Draw a Nucleotide:
Difference between RNA and DNA
DNA
RNA
SUGAR
NITROGEN BASES
SHAPE
MOBILITY
FOUND
The 3 Types of RNA
mRNA
tRNA
rRNA
WHAT LETTER
MEANS…
SHAPE
FOUND
FUNCTION
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 8
Concept: Prot Syn
Molecular Genetics Notes
Section: Notes
Protein Synthesis Background
THINGS YOU ALREADY KNOW:
1. DNA is a code. The “code” (instructions) is found as a sequence of ________________.
2. The DNA code is really instructions for making ______________________.
3. A polypeptide is just another name for a _________________.
4. Proteins are made from long chains of __________ __________ (the building blocks).
5. Proteins make up many of the important parts of an organism. Name some below:



6. In a cell, proteins are made in the organelles called __________________.
STEPS TO MAKING A PROTEIN.
1. DNA “lives” in the _____________________ of a cell. IT NEVER LEAVES!

Here’s the problem. DNA needs to make a protein. It has the instructions for making it,
but it is not allowed to leave the nucleus! Since the instructions for a certain protein is
just a few nucleotides on the DNA, what do you think happens?
2. A short section of the double helix _________________ and the 2 sides of the DNA “ladder”
________________ from each other.
3. A copy of the short section of DNA is made – just 1 side – so it is ______________ stranded.
This copy is called _________________RNA (mRNA).

The copy is not exactly like the DNA strand. Instead of the nucleotide Thymine, RNA has
the nucleotide ____________. (A – U and G – C)
4. How is mRNA different from DNA?



mRNA is _________________ -stranded
mRNA is allowed to leave the _____________________. (it is MOBILE!)
mRNA has the nucleotides A, C, G, but not ________! It uses _______.
So, now that we have a single-stranded, short copy of the information needed
to make our protein, it’s time to travel and build it!!!!!
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 9
Concept: Prot Syn
Section: Notes
Molecular Genetics Notes Cont’d
5. The mRNA takes the code to a _______________________ in the cell.
6. Ribosomes are wonderful, but they can only read ____ letters of code at a time. They start
reading the mRNA code strip in groups of 3 letters called ___________.
7. Each time the ribosome reads 3 letters on the mRNA, it calls for another molecule called a
_________, which carries an amino acid. (tRNA stands for ________________ RNA)

tRNA is like a dump truck. It picks up the amino acid that is needed and brings it to the
ribosome where it dumps it off.

There are hundreds of different tRNAs floating around a cell. So, if the codon on the
mRNA is GGG then the ribosome calls for a tRNA with the opposite code _______. Since
this tRNA code is the exact opposite of the mRNA codon, it is called the
_________________.
8. Now, remember we’re trying to make a PROTEIN, so each time a tRNA brings an
_____________ _________ to the ribosome, the amino acids link together!
And PRESTO --- we have a protein (polypeptide)!!!!
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 10
Concept: Prot Syn
Molecular Genetics Notes
Section: Notes
1. Proteins (polypeptides) are made in cells by organelles
called ________________.
2. Proteins (polypeptides) are long chains of _____________ ___________.
3. Instructions for making proteins come from __________, in the cell’s
_____________.
4. Copies of the instructions are made during the __________________ process,
when ____________RNA is made from a small section of “unzipped” DNA.
5. The mRNA goes out of the __________________, and attaches to a
_______________.
6. The nucleotides on the strand of mRNA are read in groups of _____, called a
________.
7. Each codon stands for a specific ________ _______.
8. The codons are recognized by another type of RNA called, ______. These
looped strands of tRNA have a 3-nucleotide region called an
______________________.
9. The job of the tRNA is to bring a specific ____________ _________ to the
ribosome.
10. As the ribosome “reads” the info. on the mRNA, and a series of ________
bring their amino acids and drop them off, a chain is formed called a
_____________________ or protein.
11. This process, going from mRNA to tRNA to a protein, is called
____________________.
12. The protein folds into a special ___________ and is now ready to carry out
metabolic activities, become a _________________ or enzyme, or determine
the many __________________ about you!!!!
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 11
Concept: Prot Syn
Molecular Genetics Notes
Section: Notes
This is Such a Complex Process, Things Can Go Wrong!
Gene Mutations.
1. Any change in the ________________ of nitrogenous bases on the ______ is called a
gene __________________.
2. It can be




only 1 change in the order of nucleotides on the DNA!
_________________: When 1 letter or gene is changed (an A instead of a T)
_________________: When 1 or more letters are deleted!
_________________: When 1 or more letters are added.
_________________: When letters or genes are in the wrong order on the DNA.
3. This can be VERY serious or it may make no difference at all! Why could it be serious?
4. What are some things that can cause a mutation in the DNA?
Genetic Research.
1. Cloning: The process of making _____________ offspring from the cells of an organism.
This is used in:
2. Genetic Engineering: Scientists are now able to ____________ specific genes in the ______ of
organisms. By inserting _______ from one organism into the ______ of another organism they
create: _______________________ DNA.
This is important for:
Isolated gene
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Either put plasmid in another cell,
or bacteria will start making the
new protein.
Page 12
Concept: Prot Syn
Section: Activity
Modern Genetics
Computer Activity
Open the website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/dna/ and
answer the following questions.
1.
When were nucleic acids discovered?
2.
When was an accurate model of DNA presented?
Click on DNA Workshop Activity. Then Click on DNA Replication
3.
Where in the cell does DNA replication occur?
4.
In a real cell, how does DNA unzip? List the steps that are involved.
5.
What bases are paired together in order to make 2 new strands of DNA?
6.
All 46 human chromosomes contain how many base pairs?
Click on Protein Synthesis
7.
Where in the cell does the DNA unzip?
Follow the directions and answer the following questions.
8.
When you form the mRNA stand, what bases pair up together?
9.
Are they the same bases that were used to make DNA? What is different?
10.
A real RNA molecule would be how many bases long?
11.
What does the “m” in mRNA stand for?
12.
Where does it go?
13.
What does the ribosome construct?
14.
The mRNA bases are grouped into sets of 3 called ________________.
15.
The anticodons are located on the __________ which is attached to an __________.
16.
When the ribosome moves to the right, what happens to the first tRNA molecule?
17.
What does it leave behind?
18.
The protein chain will continue to grow until it is how long?
19.
What 3 amino acids does your polypeptide chain contain?
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 13
Concept: Prot Syn
Section: Activity
Modern Genetics
Simulation
Watch and/or participate in the simulation in class. Answer the following questions after the
simulation is complete.
1. What was the job of the DNA?
2. What was the job of the mRNA?
3. What did the tRNAs do during the simulation?
4. Where in the “cell” did transcription take place? ____________________________
5. Where in the “cell” did translation take place? _____________________________
6. Is tRNA reusable? ___________
7. What part of the cell do the walls of the classroom represent?
__________________________
8. How many structures were created using only 1 mRNA? _______________
9. Which molecules seemed to be the busiest? ______________________
Why were they so busy? _________________________________________________
10. What would happen if the wrong tRNA showed up at the ribosome out of order?
11. What would happen if the person who copied the DNA made a mistake? ______________
_______________________________________________________________________
12. What is this called? _________________________________
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 14
Concept: DNA
DNA an Introduction
Section: Activity
Read the DNA introductory material from your teacher and answer the following
questions.
Use “An Abbreviated History of Genetic Discoveries”
1. Who studied inheritance in pea plants?
2. What did he call the things that determined inheritance in peas?
3. Where are chromosomes located?
4. Since chromosomes double before a cell divides, and are shared between the 2 new
daughter cells, people believed that chromosomes are the carriers of _________________
5. In 1903, it was discovered that Mendel’s “factors” occur in pairs, one on each of a
_____________ of chromosomes.
6. Where do the pairs of chromosomes come from? ____________________________
7. There are 2 “ X” chromosomes in ___________________________.
8. Who gets and “X” and a “Y” chromosome? ______________________
9. The fact that chromosomes determine sex tells us that a specific __________________
carries a specific ______________ _____________________.
10. What do scientists call a piece of genetic information specifying a particular trait or
characteristic? _________________________________________________________
11. Studying fruit flies, Morgan discovers that genes are ______________________ up along
chromosomes.
12. Since the genes are in specific places on chromosomes, you can “_________” their positions.
13. What kinds of diseases result when particular proteins fail to perform their normal functions?
14. What are mutations?
15. Beadle and Tatum showed that individual genes code for the production of individual
_______________________________
16. Genes are made of deoxyribonucleic acid, or _______________
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 15
Concept: DNA
Section: Activity
DNA an Introduction Cont’d
Use “DNA – What Does it Actually Say?”
17. Proteins are combinations of __________ different amino acids, linked together in long
_____________.
18. What determines all the unique functions of a protein?
19. What carries information?
20. What does the work (growth, maintenance, repro, etc)?
21. What determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein?
Use “Nucleotides – Letters on a Backbone”
22. What are the 4 letters used in the DNA code? _________________________
23. Each letter is a combination of C, N, O, and H called a __________________________
24. Each nucleotide is bonded to a sugar – what’s its name? ________________________,
And to a ________________________.
25. The sugars and phosphates link to each other to form a continuous ___________________.
26. As you look across the bottom of p.84-85, they compare DNA structure to written language.
a.) A nucleotide is like a _________________________
b.) A gene is like a _____________________________
c.) A chromosome is like a ________________________
d.) A genome is like a ____________________________
27. What is a genome?
28. Where is the genome for an organism stored? ___________________________
Use “DNA – The Double Helix”
29. DNA’s shape resembles a twisted _________________________.
30. Who’s DNA is in one long piece? ___________________________
31. How many chromosomes do humans have in each cell? _____________
32. All the DNA in ONE human cell, if stretched out, would be how long? _____________
33. All the DNA in YOUR WHOLE BODY, if stretched out, would be how long? ____________
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 16
DNA an Introduction
Concept: DNA
Section: Activity
Nucleus
Nucleotides
Not Mobile
Chromosomes
AUGC
Mobile
Double helix
tRNA
Genes
mRNA
Single stranded
rRNA
ATGC
They are
It is made of
many
it is too big
so is
Is found in the
DNA
Makes up
Structure
Its shape is a
One is
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Many genes
make up
The other is
is
RNA
Has 3
different
Types
One is
Another is
So it is
also
Found all
over the cell
Structure
it is
It is made of
many
Nucleotides
They are
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 17
Concept: DNARNA
DNA/RNA Homework
Section: Hmwork
Chapter 11 pp. 226-235 Reading # 1
1.
Which scientist’s experiments led to the discovery of the transforming factor that “even in
dead cells” could cause changes in living things?
2.
What does DNA stand for?
3.
The building blocks of DNA are called _______________________________.
4.
A nucleotide consists of 3 parts:
a.
b.
c.
5.
Name the four nitrogenous bases:
6.
What is the shape of DNA?
7.
Who discovered the shape of DNA?
8.
What rule is followed so that DNA replication works perfectly?
9.
What kind of molecule is DNA polymerase, and what is its function?
10.
What does “on gene, one polypeptide” mean?
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 19
Concept: DNARNA
DNA/RNA Homework
Section: Hmwork
RNA and PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
Chapter 11, pp. 236-243, Reading # 2
1. How id RNA different from DNA?
2. What is transcription and in which two parts of the cell does it occur?
3. When the code in RNA is changed into “amino acid” code, this is called
___________________________.
4. The specific sequence on DNA is transcribed into RNA, then translated into an amino acid
code that eventually is the code for a ________________________.
5. What enzyme links RNA nucleotides together? ______________________
6. How is mRNA different in function from tRNA?
7. p.240, in Figure 11-17, the AUG is part of the _________________
the UAC is the ________________________
the Met is an _________________________
8. In figure 11-18, name the 3 amino acids being put in place:
9. What is a mutation?
10. Give an example from the book of a mutation causing a problem in an organism:
11. Give an example of a mutation NOT causing a problem:
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 20
Concept: Prot Syn
Section: Activity
Modern Genetics Project
EXTRA CREDIT
You will turn this page in for Mr. B to grade your project.
My Name:
Assignment: Make a 3-dimensional model of a portion of a DNA molecule.
Grade: The project may add up to 20 points to your test average.
Rubric:
PROJECT FEATURE
POINTS POSSIBLE
Shows at least 6 “rungs”
5
Correctly shows base pairing
arrangement
5
Shows the double helix shape
3
Clearly shows the 3 parts of a
nucleotide
2
Model has labels or key attached
3
Self Evaluation
2
YOUR POINTS
Self Evaluation:
1. How did this project help you understand the structure of DNA?
2. What part of this topic do you still find confusing?
Note packet info courtesy of Mrs. Embry
Page 21