RED RISING

1. Explain the structure of DNA – use the terms nucleotides, antiparallel strands, and complimentary base paring

The structure of DNA is a double helix and it is anti-parallel meaning that both strands run in opposite directions alongside each other.  Each strand of DNA is composed of nucleotides, which are units that are made up of deoxyribose, a phosphate group and a nitrogen base. Complimentary base paring is when the nucleotides move into place and form h-bonds with its “partner” on the strand.

2. When does DNA replication occur?

DNA replication occurs prior to cell division, and it is a semiconservative process.

3. Name and describe the 3 steps involved in DNA replication. Why does the process occur differently on the “leading” and “lagging” strands?

The three steps that are involved in DNA replication are unwinding, complimentary base pairing, and joining. Unwinding is when the helix unravels, and the two strands separate from each other meaning that the h-bonds between pairs, break. Complimentary base pairing is when nucleotides move into place and form h-bonds with “partner” on strand. Joining is when nucleotides on a new strand form covalent bond.  Leading strand is the strand which is synthesized in the 5-3 direction and continuously “unzips”. Lagging is when the strand is synthesized in the 3-5 directions meaning it has to unzip for a little bit but then have to jump back up to the top to continue unzipping.

4. Today’s modelling activity was intended to show the steps involved in DNA replication. What did you do to model the complimentary base paring and joining of adjacent nucleotides steps? In what ways was this activity well suited to showing this process? In what ways was is inaccurate?

We used the base sequence to connect everything together in a model, connecting the complimentary nucleotides and phosphates. This activity was well suited because it showed us how the structure looked and how everything connected together. This activity was inaccurate because we couldn’t get the model to look exactly like a normal one.

5. How is mRNA different than DNA?

mRNA has one strand where as DNA has 2 strands. mRNA copies portions of genetic code and transports these copies to ribosomes.

6. Describe the process of transcription

When a specific section of DNA unwinds and exposes one gene, along the one strand of complimentary RNA bases bond. The uracil then bonds with DNA’s adenine. The other nucleotides from covalent bonds build the RNA backbone. The RNA then releases, and DNA reconnects the double helix.

7. How did today’s activity do a good job of modelling the process of RNA transcription? In what ways was our model inaccurate?

It did a good job because it showed how the DNA and RNA replication occur and how the bases connect together. The way our model was inaccurate was because we couldn’t show every single thing in the process. it was inaccurate because the actual process because after the replication would have continued the RNA strand.

8. Describe the process of translation: initiation, elongation, and termination

Initiation is when mRNA binds to the small ribosome subunit, then the 2 ribosome subunits bind together. Elongation is when the ribosome holds mRNA and allows complimentary tRNA to attach to binding sites. Termination is when the elongation cycle continues until mRNA “reads” a stop codon.

9. How did today’s activity do a good job of modelling the process of translation? In what ways was our model inaccurate?

This model did a good job of showing us the process of translation because it showed the process, and how it showed us how it elongates with the genetic code. This model is inaccurate because we did not do the model exactly right, so if it were to be messed up, it would not work.