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Genes Parts of DNA that Code for Proteins

Genes
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Genes Outcomes

  • Explain what a gene is and how it relates to DNA.
  • Describe the process of transcription, including where it occurs and what is produced.
  • Describe the process of translation, including where it occurs and what is produced.
There are questions scattered throughout the resources; these are examples of the types of questions that could appear on Monday\’s quiz that covers all of this week\’s material (lectures, labs, and these online resource pages).
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Chromosomes are coiled DNA wrapped around histone proteins.  These proteins keep the long DNA macromolecule from \”tangling.\”  These proteins are not the substance of heredity; it is the DNA molecule that has the code for purple vs. white flower color, or a fruit fly vs. a pea plant.
 
From class, a nucleotide in DNA consists of one of the four bases (A, T, C, G) combined with a _____ and a _____ (represented by the green lines in this image).
Genes are sequences of DNA that code for _____.
 
This page explores how the DNA code, the order of C-T-G-A bases, related to cells making proteins, also called the process of protein synthesis.
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The basic processes that involve DNA are:
Replication: Making a new, identical chromosome for mitosis or meiosis.  Meiosis results in production of gametes, which in humans are _____ from the testes or _____ from the ovaries.
Transcription: Making an RNA copy of a portion of DNA.  List two ways the structure of RNA differs from the structure of DNA.
Translation: RNA directing the correct order of amino acids in a polypeptide.  A poypeptide is a chain of ________; and the polypeptide is folded to make a _______.
This video demonstrates protein synthesis; making a polypeptide chain of amino acids.

Key terminology is defined below this video.

Key Terminology

Nucleotide: a phosphate, sugar, and a base.
Codon: three nucleotides together, codes for a single amino acid.
Genetic Code: the same codon sequence codes for the same amino acid, no matter which species.
mRNA: messenger RNA is a copy of a gene region of DNA.
rRNA: ribosomal RNA makes up the ribosome structure.
tRNA: transfer RNA brings the correct amino acid to the corresponding mRNA codon.
If you would like to see the protein synthesis puzzle from lab again, watch this video:
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Check your knowledge.  Can you:

  • explain what a gene is and how it relates to DNA?
  • describe the process of transcription, including where it occurs and what is produced?
  • describe the process of translation, including where it occurs and what is produced?

Resource Index

Quick links to all 30 webpages

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Proteins