General

Biology Name: Bio 101 Homework Transcription and Translation 1. Define gene in your own words. 2. The diagram below is a picture of a cell with its nucleus. Diagram the process by which DNA is read as RNA and converted to protein, and include where in the cell these processes occur.

3. Define mutation and explain how it is the ultimate source of genetic variation.

4. The diagram below is a double stranded DNA molecule. The process taking place is transcription. Write out the mRNA message that is being transcribed on the emerging single- stranded mRNA.

5. What is the polypeptide message that is encoded (use the genetic code chart)?

6. The diagram below shows a newly transcribed mRNA. It has not yet matured. Below the diagram, make your own diagram of the mature mRNA. How many RNA nucleotides does it have? How many amino acids does the polypeptide that it encodes have?

7. The following questions are a mix of review questions from Unit 1 and this lecture. I bring them back to haunt you as a reminder that Biology is all interrelated and that we will be constantly building on what we have (hopefully) learned previously! a. What are polypeptide polymers composed of? f. What is the business end of the RNA molecule, in question d above, that base pairs with the three letter words in question e above? 8. Using all the answers from question 7, explain the process of translation in your own words! Draw a diagram on the back to help you explain. g. How is translation like a tape player? b. What is the site of protein synthesis? c. What is the bond between amino acids called? d. Which type of RNA brings the amino acids to the site of protein synthesis? e. What is the three-letter word in the message of mRNA?

9. The HIV virus is a retrovirus. What does this mean?

10. In DNA replication, the enzyme that is responsible for replicating DNA, DNA polymerase, is very faithful when it copies DNA. It MUST be! In contrast, the enzyme reverse transcriptase found in retroviruses is not at all very reliable. When it makes copies of the viral genome, it introduces mutations at an alarming rate. Why is this bad news for people with HIV who take inhibitors of reverse transcriptase as part of their anti-viral cocktails?

General Biology Name: Bio 101 Homework Control of Gene Expression

5 3

3 O Gene 1 Gene 2 Gene 3 5

lactose

1. In the illustration above, I have illustrated a bacterial operon. Genes 1, 2 and 3 all encode enzymes that permit the cell to use lactose. P refers to promoter, O refers to operator, the blue shape on the promoter is RNA polymerase, the key is the repressor protein sitting on the operator. Describe how lactose regulates expression of the bacterial operon.

2. What is differentiation? 6. What is the difference between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning? 7. What is the difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells? Which are totipotent, and which are pluripotent? (You will have to go beyond the book to find these definitions.) 3. How can DNA packaging in chromosomes affect whether a gene is expressed (turned on)?

4. What are all the possible mechanisms by which eukaryotes can regulate gene expression? (Hint: 11.8 and 11.9)

5. Describe the process of nuclear transplantation.