Protein Synthesis

Categorize the following as being characteristics of DNA, RNA, or both.

Groups:

(a) DNA only

,

(b) RNA only

,

(c) Both

• Original copy of the instructions

• Uses the base thymine in its code

• Backbone is made of alternating sugar/phospate molecules

• Uses the base uracil in its code

• Backbone contains the sugar ribose

• Building block is a nucleotide

• Shape is a double helix

• Shape is a single strand

• There are 3 types: m, t, and r

• Is a nucleic acid

• Is a large organic macromolecule

• Backbone contains the sugar deoxyribose

• Can be found throughout the cell

• Stays in the nucleus

• Uses the bases A, C, and G in its code

Match the following definitions.

• Gene

• A sequence of DNA with the instructions to build a protein

• Amino Acid

• A 3-base sequence of DNA or mRNA code

• Codon

• The building block of proteins

• Nucleotide

• The part of the nucleotide with the code

• Base

• The building block of nucleic acids

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

The process of ​ (a)   has two steps. First ​ (b)   and then ​ (c)   .

• protein synthesis

• transcription

• translation

• DNA replication

Answer explanation

The process of protein synthesis involves two key steps: first, transcription, where DNA is converted to mRNA, and then translation, where mRNA is used to synthesize proteins.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

DNA code has the instructions on how to make _______________.

• Nucleotides

• Proteins

• Genes

• Nucleic Acids

Answer explanation

DNA code provides the instructions for synthesizing proteins, which are essential for various functions in living organisms. While nucleotides and nucleic acids are components of DNA, proteins are the direct products of the genetic code.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Each 3-base sequence of DNA/RNA code stands for one ____________.

• Gene

• Protein

• Amino Acid

• Nucleotide

Answer explanation

Each 3-base sequence, or codon, in DNA/RNA corresponds to a specific amino acid, which are the building blocks of proteins. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Amino Acid'.

Match the enzyme to the job it performs

• RNA polymerase

• Unzips the DNA double helix

• DNA polymerase

• Adds new DNA nucleotides during DNA replication

• Helicase

• Adds new RNA nucleotides during transcription

Which of these enzymes would not be used during DNA replication?

• Helicase

• DNA polymerase

• RNA polymerase

Answer explanation

RNA polymerase is not involved in DNA replication; it synthesizes RNA during transcription. In contrast, helicase unwinds the DNA and DNA polymerase synthesizes new DNA strands.

Which of these enzymes would not be used during protein synthesis?

• Helicase

• DNA polymerase

• RNA polymerase

Answer explanation

DNA polymerase is involved in DNA replication, not protein synthesis. During protein synthesis, RNA polymerase transcribes DNA into mRNA, while helicase unwinds the DNA. Therefore, DNA polymerase is not used in this process.

During DNA replication, if one open strand says TAG, what nucleotides will be added to rebuild the other strand?

• TAG

• GAT

• AUC

• ATC

Answer explanation

During DNA replication, adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). Therefore, for the strand TAG, the complementary nucleotides added will be ATC.

When reading the amino acid chart, which type of codon is always used?

• Original DNA

• mRNA codon

• tRNA anticodon

Answer explanation

The amino acid chart is read using mRNA codons, which are derived from the DNA template. tRNA anticodons pair with mRNA codons during translation, but the chart specifically uses mRNA codons to determine amino acids.