RNA Structure

RNA & Transcription

Multiple Choice

Which biomolecule stores and transmits genetic information?

• Lipids

• Proteins

• Carbohydrates

• Nucleic Acids

Multiple Choice

Which biomolecule builds the structures of the body, like muscles, skin, hair, nails, tendons, ligaments, and other parts?

• Lipids

• Proteins

• Carbohydrates

• Nucleic Acids

​What are biomolecules?

Biomolecules are polymers (large units) made up of monomers (smaller units).

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A protein is a polymer made of amino acid monomers. The shape of the protein determines its function.

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​What are nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are biomolecules made of nucleotides that store and transfer instructions needed for protein synthesis.

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This includes:

DNA (stores info)

RNA (transmits info)

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​​A Nucleotide is composed of a sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base.

Open Ended

DNA always follows a base pair rule. A and T always pair across and C and G always pair across.

If you have the following DNA strand, what would the other side look like?

T A C C G G A C T

​DNA vs RNA

DNA is one type of nucleic acid.

DNA stores info.

There is another type called RNA.​

RNA transfers info.​

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DNA is the “boss” of the cell and has all the directions.

RNA is the “worker” nucleic acid.

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RNA delivers messages and gathers and assembles materials.

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​There are 3 types of RNA

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mRNA = messenger RNA

rRNA = ribosomal RNA

tRNA = transfer RNA

​Because RNA only carries out certain directions, it is generally much shorter as well as being single stranded.

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There are other structural differences too.

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RNA ​

​(Ribonucleic Acid)

​DNA

​(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

​Sugar Used:

​Ribose

​Deoxyribose

RNA ​

​(Ribonucleic Acid)

​DNA

​(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

​Sugar Used:

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​Number of Strands:

​Ribose

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​1

​Deoxyribose

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​2

RNA ​

​(Ribonucleic Acid)

​DNA

​(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

​Sugar Used:

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​Number of Strands:

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​​Nitrogen base used:

​Ribose

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​1

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​Uracil (U)

​Deoxyribose

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​2

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​Thymine (T)

RNA ​

​(Ribonucleic Acid)

​DNA

​(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

​Sugar Used:

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​Number of Strands:

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​​Nitrogen base used:

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​Location:

​Ribose

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​1

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​Uracil (U)

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Nucleus & Cytoplasm​

​Deoxyribose

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​2

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​Thymine (T)

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​Nucleus Only

Multiple Select

Which are characteristics of RNA? (choose two)

• Single stranded

• Double stranded

• Deoxyribose sugar

• Ribose sugar

Multiple Select

Which are characteristics of RNA? (choose two)

• Nitrogen base: Thymine (T)

• Nitrogen base: Uracil (U)

• Found in the nucleus and cytoplasm

• Found only in the nucleus

​Chromosome = coiled up strand of DNA.

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Humans have 23 pairs!

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​On the DNA strand are sections called GENES!

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​Why is a gene important?

​Each gene codes for a trait.

Traits are unique characteristics of organisms, like their height or hair color or eye color.

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Those characteristics are built of proteins. ​

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So… Each gene codes for unique proteins.

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Multiple Choice

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.

How many chromosomes do humans have in total?

• 23

• 46

• 92

• 13

Multiple Choice

Humans (and other organisms) have pairs of chromosomes.

Why do our chromosomes come in pairs?

• So they don't get lonely.

• They just do.

• Because the chromosomes are replicated in S phase.

• One chromosome in each pair comes from the mother, and one comes from the father.

Multiple Choice

How do we use the instructions stored in the nucleic acids to build the proteins we need for structures?

• No one knows!

• Magic

• Random chance

• Protein Synthesis

Through the process called protein synthesis:

We take the DNA instructions, make an RNA copy of a single gene (like taking down some notes), then use the notes to actually build proteins.

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Protein Synthesis can be divided into two key processes: Transcription and Translation.

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​​Transcription:​ makes a RNA copy of a single gene from a DNA molecule.

It is also called gene expression.

Where? The nucleus. (AKA the house of DNA)

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Where? The nucleus. (AKA the house of DNA)

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​The transcription continues until the polymerase reaches a

stop or terminator sequence. Then the mRNA leaves the nucleus.

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​For transcription, we use base pair rules just like in DNA replication. However, there is no Thymine (T) in RNA. Thymine is replaced by Uracil (U).

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​DNA Strand 1: C T G T A C A A T

​​RNA Strand 1:

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RNA Strand 2:​

​DNA Strand 2:

​With RNA, instead of Apples go on trees, think Apples under trees

Open Ended

What would be the complementary DNA bases for the strand of DNA below?

T A C T T C G G C A T T

Open Ended

What would be the complementary RNA bases for the strand of DNA below?

A T G A A G C C G T A A

Open Ended

What would be the complementary RNA strand for the strand of RNA below?

U A C U U C G G C A U U

Open Ended

What amino acids would be synthesized by the RNA codons below?

A U G A A G C C G U A A