Review Questions - Chapter 14 “DNA and Protein Synthesis” (KEY)

RNA differs from DNA in two ways:

a. RNA uses ribose sugar, not deoxyribose.
b. RNA bases are A, G, C, and URACIL (U).
c. RNA is single stranded.
Functions: DNA carries the genetic code from one generation to
the next.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the “blueprint” for
protein assembly to the ribosome.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) combines with proteins to form
ribosomes upon which polypeptides are assembled.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) brings the correct amino acid to
the ribosome and pairs up with an mRNA code for that
amino acid.

r-__m-___t-__

Transcription begins when RNA polymerase binds to a

promoter region (a base sequence at the start of a gene) and then
moves along to the end of a gene; an RNA transcript is the result.
Newly formed mRNA is an unfinished molecule, not yet
ready for use.
mRNA transcripts are modified before leaving the
nucleus.
a. The 5' end is capped with a special nucleotide that
may serve as a “start” signal for translation.
b. A “poly-A tail” of about 100–200 molecules of
adenylic acid is added to the 3' end.
c. Noncoding portions (introns) are snipped out, and
actual coding regions (exons) are spliced together to
produce the mature transcript.
Transcription differs from replication in three ways:

Only one region of one DNA strand is used as a template.

. RNA polymerase is used instead of DNA polymerase.

RNA is single stranded; DNA is double

AUG-GAG-CAA-GGG-CUU

promoter region
 5’polyAcodon

Every three bases (a triplet) specifies an amino acid to be

included into a growing polypeptide chain; the
complete set of triplets of is called the genetic code.

mRNA

AUG-GAG-CAA-GGG-CUU

In turn this series of codons is translated at the ribosome

into a polypeptide. A complex of proteins, r-RNA and t-RNA
read the codon sequence and place the appropriate amino
acid in the growing chain.

The resulting polypeptide is: methionine, glutamate,

glutamine, glycine, leucine,

RNA and the Stages of Translation

1. In initiation, a complex forms in this sequence: initiator
tRNA + small ribosomal subunit + mRNA + large
ribosomal subunit (r-RNA).
2. In elongation, a start codon on mRNA defines the
reading frame; a series of tRNAs deliver amino acids in
sequence by codon-anticodon matching; a peptide bond
joins each amino acid to the next in sequence.
3. In termination, a stop codon is reached and the
polypeptide chain is released into the cytoplasm or
enters the cytomembrane system for further processing.

Sickle Cell Anemia results from one base change.

Common Gene Mutations and Their Sources

 1. Mutations can result from base-pair substitutions (one
base replaces another base), insertions ("frameshift
mutation") deletions.
2. They can also result when DNA regions (called
transposable elements) move form one location to
another in the same DNA molecule of a different one.

mutagens________,

Mutations can be caused by mutagens such as ultraviolet

radiation, ionizing radiation (gamma and X-rays) and chemicals
such as alkylating agents, which act as carcinogens.