Transcription (with DNA and RNA)
Ch 12-3
Biology 1.2
Wilson
Handouts: DNA vs RNA Venn Diagram, Three
Types of RNA, Transcription
Objectives
• Compare and Contrast the structure
and function of RNA with that of DNA.
• Describe the three types of RNA.
• Explain the process of transcription
and the editing of RNA.
• Identify the genetic code
Define - Transcription
• Process of using DNA as a template
to make a RNA molecule (copy of a
gene) that can leave the nucleus to
make a protein
• Why?
▫ DNA cannot be damaged and leave
the nucleus
▫ Only need a copy of the gene, not the
whole chromosome
Genes to Proteins – Begins with DNA
• Double Helix
• Found in the nucleus
▫ Except mitochondrial DNA (inherited by
mother)
• Holds the directions for making protein
• Long strands of nucleotides
▫ Phosphate group
▫ Deoxyribose
▫ Nitrogenous bases: A, T, C, G
Draw and label the DNA nucleotide below
C
A
B
Genes to Proteins – Uses DNA to make RNA
• Traits and proteins are indirectly coded
from DNA
• mRNA is made using the DNA genetic
codes
• RNA = Ribonucleic acid is:
▫ Like DNA, RNA is a nucleic acid
▫ A molecule made of nucleotides
 Phosphate group
 Ribose sugar
 Nitrogenous bases: A, U, C, G
▫ Single Stranded
Draw and label the RNA nucleotide below
C
A
B
Compare and Contrast your DNA and RNA nucleotide
drawings… What are similar? What is different?
Label the Image on the DNA vs RNA
Handout
Biology 1.2
DNA vs RNA
Label the diagram below by placing the provided letters or words in the empty boxes.
C
C
T
G
Base Pair
Ribonucleic acid
Sugar Phosphate Backbone
Nucleotides
Nucleotides
Deoxyribonucleic acid
U
A
A
G
Genes to Proteins – Using DNA Template to
make mRNA
▫ Four Nitrogenous bases in mRNA




Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Uracil (replaces Thymine)
▫ Base-pair rule
DNA Template – RNA strand being made
A
T
C
G
–
–
–
–
U
A
G
C
DNA vs RNA Venn Diagram
• With your table partner complete the DNA vs
RNA Venn Diagram
• Table teams will share an answer on the
activeboard
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Description/Function/Found
 Made in the Nucleus
 Linear
 Complimentary to DNA template
 Read in the Cytoplasm (Ribosome)
 Carries the instructions for making a
protein
• Processes
 Made during – Transcription
 Read during - Translation
Ribosomal RNA
• Description/Function/Found
 Made from a gene on a chromosome in
the nucleus
 Globular
 Part of a ribosome
 Provides a mechanism for decoding
mRNA
• Process
 Translation only
Transfer RNA
• Description/Function/Found
• Made from a gene on a chromosome
• Linear but folds on self forming a t
shape
• Transfers amino acids from the
cytoplasmic pool to the ribosome
• Process
• Translation only