Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

PRE-LECTURE READING ASSIGNMENT

CHAPTER 6.0 : EXPRESSION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION
6.3

Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation

Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the exercise in this chapter you will have accomplished the following
objectives:
a. Describe the relationship between base sequences in codons with specific amino acids using
genetic code table.
b. Explain translation in protein synthesis.
c. Describe the stages involved: Initiation, elongation and termination.
Directions: Use your notes and reference books to answer the following questions.

Before You Read

Use the What I Know column to list three things you know about above topic. Then list
three questions you have about above topic in the What I Want to Find Out column.
K
W
What I know
What I want to find out
1. ____________________________________ 1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________ 2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________ 3. ____________________________________
4. ____________________________________ 4. ____________________________________
5. ____________________________________ 1. ____________________________________
6. ____________________________________ 2. ____________________________________
7. ___________________________________

3. ____________________________________

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

QUESTIONS
The Genetic code
1. Complete the codon /genetic code table below. (Campbell. Biology 9th edition. Figure
17.5.page 376)

2. What are characteristics of genetic codes?

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

3. Why is the genetic code considered to be universal?

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4. What is the reading frame?
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5. Explain why the genetic code is called a triplet code.
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6. How many codons are in genetic code?
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7. How many amino acids are in genetic code?
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8. What THREE codons that do not code any amino acids?
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9. What conclusions can be drawn from the similarities of the genetic code among living
organisms?
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10. Compare and contrast the codon and anticodon?
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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

11. Label and describe the structure and function of messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA and
transfer RNA. Use the diagram below.

mRNA

:_________________________________________________________________

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tRNA

: ________________________________________________________________

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rRNA

: ________________________________________________________________

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

12. Give an overview of translation.

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13. Which part of a cell is the site of protein synthesis?
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14. Write in brief the process of activation of amino acids before protein synthesis occurs.
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15. What are the THREE stages of translation?
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16. Use the diagram below to detail the initiation stage of translation.

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

17. Use the diagram below to detail elongation cycle of translation.

Codon recognition :__________________________________________________________

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Peptide bond formation

: ___________________________________________________

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Translocation

: __________________________________________________________

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

18. Use the diagram below to detail the termination of translation.

(1) ____________________________________________________________________
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(2) ________________________________________________________________________
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(3) ________________________________________________________________________
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19. Label the diagram below. What are polyribosomes?

20. Describe the significance of polyribosomes?

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

21. Use the diagram below to help you study the whole picture of protein synthesis.

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Pre-Lecture Reading Assignment

Biology Unit
Perak Matriculation College

EXPRESSION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION

CHAPTER WARP-UP

In the What I Wanted to Find Out column, copy the questions you listed in the Chapter
Preview. In the What I Learned column, write down the answers you discovered as you
worked through the chapter.

W
What I want to find out

L
What I have learned

1. _______________________________

1. _______________________________

2. _______________________________

2. _______________________________

3. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
7. _______________________________
8. ______________________________

SUMMARIZE

3. _______________________________
4. _______________________________
5. _______________________________
6. _______________________________
7. _______________________________
8. _______________________________

After reading this chapter list FIVE things you have

learned.

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