- Explain the structure of DNA
DNA made out of sugars (deoxyribose), phosphates and nitrogen bases. The large polymer made of nucleotide monomers. DNA has 2 “backbones” (formed by bonded sugar-phosphate), Nucleotide bases face into ladder. One of the strand is antiparallel which is the stands are “read” in opposite directions. The other is complimentary that strands can give the same message. Bases always bond with same partners: Adenine-Thymine, Guanine-Cytosine.
2. How does this activity help model the strucutre of DNA? What changes could we make to improve the accuracy of this model?
The activity help to understand the strucutre of DNA through model. It is easy to understand when I made the model more than just look at the structure on the screen. When we cut a little bit long pipecleaner and find the each pairing such as A-T, C-G.
Process of DNA replication:
- 2 strands unzip, DNA Helicase(watermelon) enzyme causes unwinding.
2. Nucleotides move into place & form H-bond with partner on strand. Facilitated by DNA polymerase(ble bigfoot),
3. Lagging strand: fragments form as DNA unzips DNA ligase(Red Bigfoot) glues fragments.
RNA(protein synthesis)
- How is mRNA different than DNA?
mRNA carries DNA’s message to the ribosome. It is single-sided and short, so it can exit the nucleus through a nuclear pore. THe instructions on mRNA allow the ribosome to put together the correct sequence of amino aicds to produce the required protein. They also have sugar, but it is different name, ribose; the different base is Uracil.
2. Descirbe the process of transcription:
- A secific section of DNA unwinds, exposing one gene.
- Along 1 strand, complimentary RNA bases bond (U-A).
- Adjacent nucleotides form covalent bonds and build RNA backbone -> RNA polymerase(Peach jelly).
- RNA is released, DNA reforms double helix.
3. How did today’s activity do a good job of modelling the process of RNA transcriptions? In what ways was our model inaccurate?
It was a good job of modelling, beside the direction. The direction was opposite way, so we should have to fix it as instruction show us.