UNIT 1 Module 2 V.

Questelles

Review: DNA structure, Replication, Transcription, Translation.

1. Write the word that corresponds with each definition below.

DNA, Nucleotide, Double Helix, DNA replication, base

pairing

(a) The way in which the nitrogenous bases of the DNA molecules bond with one
another. ______________________

(b) Building block of nucleic acids. _________________________

(c) Structure of two strands, intertwining around an axis like a twisted ladder.
___________________________

(d) Process during which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two
identical DNA molecules. ____________________________

(e) The nucleic acid transmits genetic information from parent to offspring and codes
to produce proteins. ___________________________

2. Complete the following sentences by writing a suitable word in the space provided.

(a) Every nucleotide is made up of three parts: a 5-carbon sugar called

______________________, in the case of DNA and __________________in the
case of RNA, a ____________________ group and a ___________________
base.

(b) DNA uses four kinds of bases including adenine (A), ________________(G),
cytosine (C), and ___________________ (T). RNA nucleotides may also contain
adenine, guanine and cytosine bases but contain _____________________
instead of thymine.

(c) Double-stranded DNA is an antiparallel molecule, meaning that its two strands
run alongside each other but point in _______________ directions.

3. Chargaff's rules

In the 1950s, a biochemist named Erwin Chargaff discovered that the amounts of the
nitrogenous bases (A, T, C, and G) were not found in equal quantities. However, the
amount of A always equalled the amount of T, and the amount of C always equalled
the amount of G.

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UNIT 1 Module 2 V.Questelles

(a) In terms of the structure of the DNA molecule, explain why the base pairings of
adenine with cytosine and guanine with thymine do not occur?
(b) If 19.9% of the base pairs in human DNA is guanine, what percentage of human
DNA is thymine. Show your reasoning.
(c) Biochemical analysis of a sample of DNA shows that thymine forms 15% of the
nitrogenous bases. What percentage of the bases are cytosine?

4. Identify the numbered parts of the following DNA by labelling each number.

Question 4 is based on the following diagram:

5. (a) At which point would hydrogen bonding normally occur?

(b) What is the significance of these bonds?

6. Which of the following would correctly represent the complementary strand of DNA
to the DNA strand listed below?

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UNIT 1 Module 2 V.Questelles

7. Which cell activity must occur for the normal sequence of events in mitosis and
meiosis to take place?

a. translocation b. nondisjunction c. DNA replication d. RNA replication

8. (a) Explain the importance of each of the following processes to determining the
characteristics of an organism: Replication, Transcription and Translation.
(b) List two ways in which transcription differs from replication.
(c) Briefly discuss the roles of the following enzymes during the replication of DNA:
(i) DNA Polymerase
(ii) DNA Helicase
(iii) DNA ligase

(d) During DNA replication, the replicated strands are produced at different rates.
This results in the creation of a leading and a lagging strand. Explain why this
occurs during replication.
9. State three ways in which the molecular structure of RNA differs from DNA.

10. The table below lists some amino acids. Alongside is a codon for each amino acid
found on mRNA, The strand of DNA against which mRNA is transcribed is called the
template strand.

Amino acid Codon

Tyrosine UAC
Serine AGU
Aspartic acid GAC
Glutamine GAG
Histidine CAU
Leucine CUA
Alanine GCA
Lysine AAA
Proline CCU
Glycine GGC

(a) Using the table, state the:

(i) tRNA anticodon for histidine
(ii) triplet on the DNA template strand that codes for serine.

(b) Name the amino acid coded for by the tRNA anticodon GAU.

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UNIT 1 Module 2 V.Questelles

(c) A sequence of bases on the template strand of DNA is

CTC CGT GGA ATG CGT
List the sequence of amino acids that would appear in a polypeptide coded for this DNA.

(d) The sequence of amino acids in a section of polypeptide is histidine, proline, aspartic acid,
leucine. List the sequence of bases on the DNA template strand that codes for this
polypeptide section.

(e) A strand of mRNA has 64 codons, but the protein produced from it only has 63 amino acids.
Suggest a reason for this difference.

Research Questions

1. Cancer cells are uncontrollable and copy themselves more quickly than healthy cells
resulting in a tumour. Drugs have been developed to treat cancer. This is known as
chemotherapy. Suggest how these drugs may work to stop the uncontrollable replicating
of the tumour cells.
2. Telomeres are bits of DNA found at the ends of chromosomes. The telomeres allow cells
to divide without losing genes, but they themselves become shorter. The enzyme
telomerase repairs the telomeres. It has been suggested that telomeres play a role in
aging and cancer. Suggest how telomeres may be involved in aging and tumour
formation.