TED-ED: RNAi: Slicing, dicing and serving your cells - Alex Dainis

The video uses a kitchen analogy to explain how cells produce proteins based on DNA instructions. RNA acts as a messenger, but also plays roles in reverse transcription and RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi prevents unwanted protein expression by slicing mRNA. This process was discovered in petunias and C. elegans, leading to its use in research and potential medical applications, such as targeting cancer genes.

What role does RNA play in the process of protein synthesis?

• It is responsible for breaking down proteins.

• It directly forms the structure of proteins.

• It serves as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA to the ribosome.

• It acts as a permanent storage of genetic information.

What is the primary function of the dicer protein in RNA interference?

• To chop double-stranded RNA into smaller pieces.

• To synthesize new RNA molecules.

• To transcribe DNA into RNA.

• To splice RNA into smaller fragments.

How does the RISC complex contribute to RNA interference?

• By transporting RNA out of the nucleus.

• By repairing damaged DNA.

• By binding to and degrading matching mRNA.

• By synthesizing new proteins.

In which organism was RNA interference first discovered?

• Mice

• Fruit flies

• Petunias

• Bacteria

What potential medical application does RNA interference have?

• Repairing damaged DNA sequences.

• Turning off cancer-causing genes.

• Increasing the production of all proteins in a cell.

• Enhancing the immune response to all viruses.