Introduction to Reading DNA

In DNA, the _____ of the bases is what holds the information (and is what matters).

• Sequence

• Size

• Number

• Color

Your cells use the instructions in the DNA to make what?

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids

• Water

• Proteins

How many letters does a codon (a word in the DNA language) have?

The term "reading frame" refers to how the letters are grouped into codons. (DNA language doesn't have spaces automatically, so the reading frame is how you figure out where the spaces between codons should be.) What would happen if you switch the reading frame of a gene.

• It wouldn't make sense anymore (and therefore wouldn't work)

• Nothing, it would be fine.

• The whole cell would explode

In DNA, there are actually 6 possible reading frames (3 on one of the two strands and 3 on the other), but only​ (a)   reading frame within a gene codes for the correct protein.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

All protein-coding regions in DNA start with a "start codon" (which you can think of as the capital letter at the beginning of the sentence). (In humans) the start codon is always ​ ​ (a)   ​ (b)   ​ (c)   .

• A
• T
• G
• C

What do we call a permanent change in the DNA?

• a Mutation

• A Strand

• A Shift

• A Point

Match the description with the correct type of mutation. (Note: a point mutation is technically any mutation that only changes 1 base (letter).

• Point Substitution

• A single letter is deleted

• Point Insertion

• A single letter is switched out for a different letter

• Point Deletion

• A single letter is added

Match the effects of mutations with the correct terms:

• Silent Mutation

• Does not change the amino acid sequence

• Frameshift Mutation

• Changes the reading frame

• Nonsense Mutation

• Changes the amino acid to a different amino acid

• Missense Mutation

• Changes the amino acid sequence to add or delete a stop codon