DNA & Cell Cycle STAAR BLITZ

Biology STAAR® Blitz

DAY 1

Chemistry of Life

and

Viruses

DAY 2

Cell Structure,

Function,

and

Transport

DAY 3

Cell Energetics

DAY 4

DNA
and

Cell Cycle

DAY 5

Heredity

DAY 6

Gene Expression,

Mutations,

and

Regulation

DAY 7

Taxonomy

and

Classification

DAY 8

Evolution

DAY 9

Interactions

Animal

and

Plant Systems

DAY 10

Ecology

B.4(C), B.9(A), B.10(C)

B.4(A), B.4(B)

B.9(B), B.9(C)

B.5(A), B.5(C), B.6(A)

B.6(F), B.6(G)

B.6(B), B.6(C), B.6(D), B.6(E)

B.8(A), B.8(B), B.8(C)

B.7(A), B.7(E), B.7(F)

B.10(A), B.10(B)

B.11(B), B.12(A), B.12(C), B.12(E)

DNA & Cell

Cycle

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Structure

DNA is a double helix polymer, made up
of nucleotide monomers. A nucleotide
has 3 components:

phosphate-sugar-nitrogen base

The 4 nitrogenous bases are:

- Adenine (A) - Guanine (G)
- Thymine (T) - Cytosine (C)

DNA Function

DNA stores and transmits hereditary
information. DNA is found in the
nucleus of eukaryotes and the
cytoplasm of prokaryotes.

ALL Living Things Contain
DNA

All living things share a common
genetic code made up of the same 4
nucleotides (AGCT).

What makes organisms different is
the number and order or sequence
of the nitrogenous bases that make
up their DNA.

Always pair together with

2 hydrogenbonds

The 2 strands are antiparallel

Always pair together with

3hydrogenbonds

5’

5’

3’

3’

Hotspot

Identify the the components of the backbone of DNA (may be more than one answer).

Multiple Choice

Scientists claim that DNA is a universal genetic code that is common to all organisms. Which of the following statements supports this claim?

• DNA is made of proteins that can be transferred from prokaryotes to eukaryotes.

• All living things pass down their genetic code to their offspring.

• All living things use the same 4 nitrogen bases to code for traits.

• DNA is helical in structure and can be found in the nucleus.

Multiple Choice

How does DNA in cells determine an organism’s complex traits?

• DNA contains codes for proteins, which are necessary for the growth and functioning of an organism

• DNA separates into long single strands that make up each part of an organism.

• DNA produces the energy an organism needs in order to grow.

• DNA folds into the nucleus of each of the cells of an organism.

DNA Replication

•Before the cell can divide, its
genetic material must be copied
exactly (replication) so that after
division each new daughter cell
has the same genetic code as the
parent cell

•This occurs during theS-phase
(synthesis) of cell cycle

•Enzymes, such as helicase and
DNA polymerase, work together
to open DNA, read the original
template strand, and pair up new
bases with the original template
of bases before being resealed

DNA replication is semiconservative. Each strand in the double
helix acts as a template for synthesis of a new, complementary
strand.

Fill in the Blank

A single strand of DNA is coded below. What complementary bases would bind with this strand?

3’ A T G G C T A A 5’

The Cell Cycle

•The cell cycle is a series of
regulated events that cells
use to grow and divide
into daughter cells

•Disruptions to the cell
cycle can lead to
uncontrollable division and
growth. This can result in
tumors and cancer.

G0

Resting
Phase

G1, S, and G2 are collectively known as Interphase

Multiple Choice

Place the following phases of the cell cycle in order.

I. Mitosis II. Synthesis III. Gap1 IV. Gap2 V. Cytokinesis

• I, V, III, IV, II

• I, II, III, IV, V

• III, IV, II, I, V

• III, II, IV, I, V

Multiple Choice

A segment of DNA is represented in the illustration.

How is information for a specific protein carried on the DNA molecule?

• As a sequence of nucleotides

• In the double-helix shape of the condensed chromosome

• In the ratio of adenines to thymines

• As a pattern of phosphates and sugars

Mitosis & Cytokinesis

Prophase
•Chromatin packs
into chromosomes
•Nuclear membrane
breaks down
•Spindle fibers form

Parent Cell

Metaphase

•Spindle fibers align
chromosomes along
the middle of the cell

Anaphase

•Spindle fibers shorten
pulling sister chromatids
apart and towards
opposite poles of the cell

Telophase
•Chromosomes loosen
back to chromatin
•Nuclear membrane
reforms
•Spindle fibers break
down

Cytokinesisis the division of the cytoplasm;
Product: 2 identical daughter cells

Mitosisis a series of steps to divide thecontents of the nucleus.
[Prophase-Metaphase-Anaphase-Telophase]

Mitosis

•When looking at slides under a microscope, how would you recognize
if cells were in interphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase, or
proceeding through cytokinesis?

Regulation of the Cell Cycle

• The cell cycle is regulated
• There are checkpoints along the way

to make sure cell division occurs
accurately and without mistakes

• If not accurate, the mistake is either

corrected or cell death (apoptosis)

• Unfortunately, not all mistakes are

caught

• Disruptions to the cell cycle can lead

to uncontrollable division and
growth. This can result in tumors
and cancer

G0

Resting
Phase

Draw

Matching - Draw a Line from each TERM to the matching definition.

Checkpoints

•What is the purpose of checkpoints in the cell cycle?

•What happens if these checkpoints do not function correctly?