POGIL TRANSLATION TRANSCRIPTION

Where in the cell is the DNA found?

The cell nucleus

Where in the cell does transcription take place?

The cell nucleus

What polymer is synthesized during transcription?

mRNA

What monomers are used to construct this polymer and where are they found?

RNA nucleotides make up mRNA (A, U, G, C); they are found in the nucleus

According to Model 1, which enzyme is required for transcription?

RNA Polymerase

What is the base-pair rule for a DNA strand matching an RNA strand?

T-A, A-U, G-C, C-G

Compare this base-pair rule with that of two DNA strands.

T-A, A-T, G-C, C-G; Adenine switches with Thymine rather than Uracil.

Which strand of the DNA contains the "blueprint" for the pre-mRNA?

The template strand

In which direction is the DNA molecule read?

3' to 5' end

In which direction is the pre-mRNA molecule constructed?

5' to 3' prime end

Consider the definition of transcription and explain why the process in Model 1 is described using that word.

Transcription is called that because it is the copying of DNA by mRNA.

What do the letters U, C, A, and G in Model 1 represent?

Nucleotides in mRNA (Uracil, Cytosine, Adenine, and Guanine).

What do the abbreviations such as Phe, Ile, Ala, and Gly in Model 1 represent?

Amino acids

The language of mRNA is often described as a "triplet code." Explain the significance of this reference.

Three nucleotides are needed to code for one amino acid.

If an mRNA molecule had 300 nucleotides in the coding region of the strand, how many amino acids would be in the polypeptide that was synthesized?

300 nucleotides/3 nucleotides per codon = 100 amino acids

How many different codons (triplets) code for the amino acid Proline (Pro)?

4

Compare all of the codons for Proline. What are the similarities and differences?

All of the codons for Proline start with CC, the difference is in the last letter of the codon.

Considering that mistakes can occur during transcription and DNA replication, what advantage is there for an organism to have multiple mRNA sequences code for the same amino acid?

If a mistake occurred during transcription or replication, the codon in mRNA may still translate to the same amino acid.

According to the table in Model 1, what amino acid is at the beginning of every polypeptide?

Methionine

The codons shown in Model 1 are used in all species on Earth with very little variation. What might scientists conclude from this?

The theory of evolution—that these systems have been passed down through generations of animals even through changed in species.