RNA:Structure, Function, Transcription, Translation

Puzzle Activity

1.The process of transferring the genetic code from DNA to RNA is called transcription .

2.DNA is used as the pattern or template to make RNA.

3.RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. RNA and DNA are both nucleic acids

RNA NUCELOTIDES

4.Ribose

a. What type of molecule is it?

sugar

b. What shape does it form?

ring

c. How is ribose different from deoxyribose?

one more oxygen

5.Phosphate group

a. What does the phosphate bond to? (same as in DNA nucleotide)

sugar molecule - ribose

6.Nitrogen Base

a. What are the four nitrogen bases used to make RNA nucleotides?

adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil

b. Which base from DNA is replaced by uracil?

thymine

c. Is uracil a purine or a pyrimidine?

single ring - pyrimidine

d. What base is uracil complementary to?

adenine

TRANSCRIPTION: the making of RNA from DNA

7.What happens first during transcription?

DNA unwinds and separates

8.Are both DNA strands used as patterns to make RNA?

No, only one

9.Describe how the RNA strand is made.

DNA unwinds and separates, RNA nucleotides in nucleus

bond to one side of DNA, when gene is completed mRNA

breaks off and leaves nucleus, DNA closes back up

10.What direction is the RNA strand made?

5’ -3’

11.Once the RNA strand is made it is released from the DNA and leaves the nucleus to go to other parts of the cell.

12.How does transcription differ from replication?

Making RNA, not DNA

13.Is RNA single or double-stranded?

single

TYPES OF RNA

14.What are the 3 types of RNA and their abbreviations?

messenger RNA- mRNA, ribosomal RNA – rRNA

transfer RNA-tRNA

15.Complete the table.

Type of RNA / Shape / Function / Location
mRNA / Single Strand / Carries code from DNA in nucleus to ribosome / Nucleus -> ribosome
tRNA / Single strand folded in a T shape / Carries amino acids to ribosome in order to make protein / Cytoplasm
-> ribosome
rRNA / Globular / Combines with proteins to form ribosomes / ribosomes

mRNA AND THE GENETIC CODE

16.What controls the sequence of RNA bases?

the DNA sequence

17.The RNA nucleotides are complimentary to the DNAnucleotides

18.What is a codon?

3 mRNA bases

19.What do the mRNA codons code for?

amino acids

20.What polymer does a chain of amino acids make?

protein

21.Which amino acids are specified by the RNA strand that you have assembled?

cysteine, glutamic acid

22.What is the name of the process that makes RNA from DNA? Where in the cell does it occur?

transcription; nucleus

23. Complete the table by using check marks to indicate to which molecule

each characteristic applies. Some characteristics may be found in both molecules.

Similarities and Differences Between DNA and RNA
DNA / RNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid / X
Ribonucleic acid / X
Ribose present / X
Deoxyribose present / X
Phosphate group present / X / X
Adenine present / X / X
Thymine present / X
Uracil present / X
Guanine present / X / X
Cytosine present / X / X
Formed from nucleotides / X / X
Double-stranded / X
Single-stranded / X
Remains in nucleus / X
Moves out of nucleus / X
Contains a chemical message or code / X / X