Problem
A. Why is the mRNA smaller in length than the DNA that codes for it? Is the RNA transcript, the mRNA, composed of the introns or exons? Describe how the original RNA transcript is processed to end up being smaller that the gene.) Note: focus on the size difference in the image, not the colors of the shading.
B. Describe the genetic code. What is a codon? What connects a codon to an amino acid?
C. Explain and give examples of the redundancy and specificity of the genetic code.
D. Sketch a tRNA: identify, explain the function of the anticodon and amino acid attachment site, and describe how the tRNA interacts with the mRNA.
E. Describe the three steps involved in translation (initiation, elongation, termination), highlighting major events in each step. Include which sites, the A, P and E, of the ribosome are participating in each step, and what is happening in each.
F. How do proteins end up in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum)? What sends a ribosome to the surface of the ER? Where do proteins end up when they are produced at the ER? Where do proteins end up that are produced in the cytoplasm?
G. Sketch 2 bad pairs of DNA with the appropriate number of hydrogen bonds?
H. Draw three RNA nucleotides in a strand?
I. Expain polyploidy?
J. What is the central dogma of Biology? Explain the function of each molecule within the central dogma, the processes of going from one to the next, where those processes occur, and where the molecules of the central dogma can be found in a cell.
K. If one strand of a DNA double helix has the sequence 3'AGTACTG 5', what will be the sequence of the mRNA made from that strand?
L. What are two big events of transcription initiation? What is the function of the promoter and terminator in transcription? If a mutation removed the promoter of a gene, how would production of the mRNA be affected? If a mutation removed the terminator of a gene, how would production of the mRNA be affected?
M. What are differences in gene expression between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
N. Researchers found E. coli that had DNA mutation rates 100 times higher than normal. A malfunction of what enzyme might be responsible?
O. Chromosome structure can be altered in several ways. Label each type of alteration shown in this figure and explain what occurs.