Transcription and Translation

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The process of reading the instructions in DNA to make a polypeptide is ​

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protein synthesis

replication

modification

proteinification

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a polypeptide?

• A chain of amino acids that can fold into a protein

• A type of carbohydrate used for energy storage

• A lipid molecule that forms cell membranes

• A nucleic acid that stores genetic information

Multiple Choice

Which two main steps are involved in protein synthesis according to the central dogma of genetics?

• Replication and transcription

• Transcription and translation

• Translation and replication

• Transcription and duplication

Multiple Select

Why does DNA have to be transcribed into RNA?

• DNA has the instructions for proteins but can't leave the nucleus

• Proteins are made in ribosomes

• RNA has the instructions for proteins but can't leave the nucleus

• Proteins are made in the nucleus

Multiple Choice

What does rRNA do?

• carry info from genes to ribosomes

• carry amino acids to ribosomes

• help with RNA splicing

• make up ribosomes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following type of RNA is responsible for transferring over the correct amino acid?

• tRNA

• mRNA

• rRNA

• DNA

Multiple Choice

Which type of RNA takes the instructions from the nucleus to the cytoplasm?

• mRNA
• tRNA
• rRNA
• RNA polymerase

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements about transcription is/are correct?

• Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm.

• Transcription starts with DNA and ends with mRNA.

• Transcription produces proteins directly.

• Transcription requires complementary base-pairing rules.

Multiple Choice

Where does transcription take place?

• nucleus
• cytoplasm
• ribosome

Multiple Choice

What nitrogen base bonds with A in transcription?

• T

• C

• G

• U

Multiple Choice

What happens in transcription?

• DNA is used as a template to make a chromosome

• DNA translates to RNA to make protein

• DNA is used as a template to make mRNA

• RNA is used as a template to make tRNA

Multiple Choice

Where does mRNA go after transcription?

• cyctoplasm

• nucleus

• lysosome

• vacuole

Multiple Choice

A section of DNA has these bases: TAG CAG TAC. What mRNA sequence is produced fro this DNA section?

• ATC GTC ATG

• AUC GUC AUG

• AUG CUG AUC

• UTC GTC UTG

Multiple Choice

How would the DNA sequence GCTATA be transcribed to mRNA?

• GCUAUA
• CGATAT
• CGAUAU
• GCUTUT

Match

Match the following:

• genetic code

• codon

• amino acid

• anticodon

code of instructions for making proteins

a set of 3 nucleotides on the mRNA

monomer (building block) for making pro

complementary 3 nucleotides on the tRNA

• code of instructions for making proteins

• a set of 3 nucleotides on the mRNA

• monomer (building block) for making pro

• complementary 3 nucleotides on the tRNA

Multiple Choice

Where does translation occur?

• nucleus

• ribosomes

• vacuole

• cytoplasm

Multiple Choice

What does translation start and end with?

• Starts with mRNA; ends with polypeptide

• Starts with polypeptide; ends with mRNA

• Starts with DNA; ends with mRNA

• Starts with ribososme; ends with polypeptide

Multiple Select

Which steps are involved in the process of translation? Select all that apply.

• mRNA attaches to a ribosome

• tRNAs drop off amino acids at the ribosome

• DNA is replicated

• Ribosome binds amino acids together with peptide bonds

Codons

Codons are instructions for making proteins.

• A codon is a sequence of 3 RNA bases on mRNA

• Each codon codes for one amino acid or a stop signal

• Codons are read during translation at the ribosome

Key Rules to Remember

• Codons are read on mRNA, not DNA

• RNA bases:

  • A, U, C, G

• Bases are read in groups of three, starting at a start codon

Important Codons

• Start codon: AUG

  • Codes for Methionine (Met)

  • Signals where translation begins

• Stop codons: UAA, UAG, UGA

  • Signal where translation ends

  • Do not code for an amino acid

How to Read a Codon Chart (Step-by-Step)

A codon chart shows which amino acid each mRNA codon codes for.

Step-by-Step Example

Codon: AUG

1. First letter → find A on the left side of the chart

2. Second letter → find U across the top

3. Third letter → find G on the right side

4. The box where they meet tells you the amino acid:
   → Methionine (Met)

• Amino acid: Phenylalanine (Phe)

Important Reminder

• Codon charts are written for mRNA

• If given DNA, convert it to mRNA first before using the chart

Practice example

Codon: UUU

• First letter: U

• Second letter: U

• Third letter: U

What Is a Codon Wheel?

A codon wheel is another way to determine which amino acid a codon codes for.

• Like a codon chart, it is used for mRNA codons

• It is read from the center outward

• Each ring represents one base of the codon

Codon Wheel Rules

• Always start with the 1st base in the center

• Move outward to the 2nd base

• End with the 3rd base on the outside

• The final section names the amino acid

Practice

Example Codon: AUG

1. Start in the center of the wheel
   → Find A

2. Move to the second ring
   → Find U

3. Move to the outer ring
   → Find G

4. The section you land on tells you the amino acid:
   Methionine (Met)

Multiple Choice

Using the genetic code chart, what amino acid is coded by the mRNA codon UGC?

• Cysteine

• Serine

• Methionine

• Leucine

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about gene regulation is correct?

• Transcription factors are regulatory proteins that control gene activity.

• Gene regulation only happens after translation.

• Repressors increase transcription.

• Gene expression is not important for cell differentiation.