Nucleic Acids: DNA & RNA (AP Biology)

Front

What are the three types of RNA and their functions?

Back

mRNA (messenger RNA) carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis; tRNA (transfer RNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation; rRNA (ribosomal RNA) is a component of ribosomes and helps facilitate protein synthesis.

Front

Explain the process of transcription in protein synthesis.

Back

Transcription is the process where RNA polymerase binds to DNA and synthesizes a complementary RNA strand based on the DNA template.

Front

How does the genetic code determine the sequence of amino acids in a protein?

Back

The genetic code determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein through the processes of transcription (where mRNA is created from DNA) and translation (where ribosomes read the mRNA to assemble amino acids into a protein).

Front

What is the genetic code and how is it read?

Back

The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA sequences) is translated into proteins. It is read by the ribosome during the process of translation.

Front

What are the building blocks of DNA?

Back

The building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).

Front

What is the role of mRNA in protein synthesis?

Back

mRNA serves as the template that carries the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where proteins are synthesized.

Front

What is the function of tRNA in translation?

Back

tRNA's function in translation is to transport specific amino acids to the ribosome, where it matches its anticodon with the corresponding codon on the mRNA.

Front

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

Back

DNA is double-stranded, contains deoxyribose sugar, and uses thymine as a base, while RNA is single-stranded, contains ribose sugar, and uses uracil instead of thymine.

Front

What is a codon?

Back

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis.

Front

What is the significance of the start codon?

Back

The start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of translation and codes for the amino acid methionine, establishing the reading frame for the ribosome.