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Biology: Transcription and Translation - Printable Biology Worksheets - Wayground

Biology: Transcription and Translation

18 questions

9th - 12th Grade

Biology

Biology: Transcription and Translation is a Grade 9–12 worksheet that checks students’ understanding of how genetic information moves from DNA to RNA to protein. Its 18 multiple-choice questions cover DNA and RNA nucleotide components, RNA structure, codons, amino acids, ribosomes, tRNA, and the roles and locations of transcription and translation. Students also identify complementary RNA bases and determine how many amino acids are represented by a nucleotide sequence. This free printable worksheet helps students connect key vocabulary and processes within protein synthesis rather than memorizing isolated definitions. It is useful for introducing the central dogma, reviewing transcription and translation after instruction, or checking whether students can apply codon and base-pairing knowledge to short sequences. A complete answer key is included for efficient review and grading.

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Biology: Transcription and Translation

Total questions: 18

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of the following would be a nucleotide found in DNA
a)
Ribose + phosphate + uracil
b)
Deoxyribose + phosphate + uracil  
c)
Deoxyribose + phosphate + adenine
d)
Ribose + phosphate + adenine
2.
An RNA molecule is
a)
double helix
b)
always double stranded
c)
usually double stranded
d)
single stranded
3.
In mRNA, each codon specifies a particular 
a)
nucleotide
b)
amino acid
c)
purine
d)
pyrimidine
4.

. What are the building blocks of proteins called?

a)

nucleotides

b)

proteins

c)

amino acids

d)

carbohydrates

5.
How many bases are in one codon?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
6.
What is the correct sequence?
a)
RNA --> DNA --> Protein
b)
Protein --> RNA --> DNA
c)
DNA --> RNA --> Protein
d)
DNA --> Protein --> RNA
7.
What structure in a cell is the site for making proteins?
a)
ribosomes
b)
mitochondria
c)
lysosome
d)
Golgi body
8.
Which amino acid is made from the RNA codon UUA?
a)
Phenylalanine
b)
Leucine
c)
Serine
d)
Tyrosine
9.
Process in which amino acids are assembled into proteins at the ribosome?
a)
Translation
b)
Transcription
c)
Meiosis
d)
Replication
10.

An mRNA molecule is produced in which step of protein synthesis:

a)

replication

b)

transcription

c)

duplication

d)

translation

11.
Brings the amino acids to the ribosome
a)
mRNA
b)
tRNA
c)
rRNA
d)
DNA
12.

Overall, protein synthesis consists of these steps

a)

DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis and transcription

b)

transcription and translation

c)

DNA synthesis, transcription and translation

13.
Where does transcription take place?
a)
nucleus
b)
cytoplasm
c)
ribosome
14.
Which RNA bases would pair with TACGAA in transcription? 
a)
AUGCUU
b)
ATGCTT
c)
GCATCC
d)
GCAUCC
15.
How many amino acids are coded for by this sequence of nucleotides:
ATG GGA ACT CCA
a)
4
b)
2
c)
6
d)
12
16.
What is the difference between DNA and RNA in terms of bases?
a)
RNA contains uracil in place of thymine
b)
RNA contains uracil in place of adenine
c)
RNA contains uracil in place of guanine
d)
RNA contains uracil in place of  cytosine
17.
What are the three components of a nucleotide?
a)
sugar, hydrogen, nitrogen base
b)
sugar, oxygen, nitrogen base
c)
sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base
d)
sugar, phosphate, protein
18.

TRANSCRIBE this DNA sequence into RNA: TAC GTT ACT

a)

AUG CAA UGA

b)

ATG CAA TGA

c)

AUG GAT UGA

d)

TAC GTT ACT

Answer Key

Biology: Transcription and Translation

Total questions: 18

1.
c) Deoxyribose + phosphate + adenine
2.
d) single stranded
3.
b) amino acid
4.
c)

amino acids

5.
c) 3
6.
c) DNA --> RNA --> Protein
7.
a) ribosomes
8.
b) Leucine
9.
a) Translation
10.
b)

transcription

11.
b) tRNA
12.
b)

transcription and translation

13.
a) nucleus
14.
a) AUGCUU
15.
a) 4
16.
a) RNA contains uracil in place of thymine
17.
c) sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base
18.
a)

AUG CAA UGA

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FAQs

What does this transcription and translation worksheet cover?

This 18-question multiple-choice worksheet covers how DNA is transcribed into mRNA and how mRNA is translated into a protein. Students identify nucleotide components, codon length and meaning, amino acids, ribosomes, tRNA, the locations of transcription and translation, and complementary RNA bases in a sequence. These items build understanding of the DNA → RNA → protein pathway and the molecular roles within it.

How can I use this worksheet to teach transcription and translation?

Use the worksheet after introducing DNA, RNA, codons, and amino acids so students can connect the vocabulary to the protein-synthesis sequence. Have students explain why each answer fits, especially for items about transcription versus translation, the role of tRNA, and RNA base pairing. For the sequence questions, model reading a codon as three bases and then ask students to describe how codons determine amino acids.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this worksheet?

Students may confuse deoxyribose with ribose, select uracil as a DNA base, or treat RNA as double stranded. Watch for reversals between transcription and translation, such as identifying transcription as the process that assembles amino acids or placing transcription at the ribosome instead of the nucleus. In the sequence items, students may pair DNA bases directly with DNA bases, overlook that a codon has three bases, or count nucleotides rather than codons when determining the number of amino acids.

How do I assign and grade this transcription and translation worksheet?

Wayground provides this worksheet as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz, with a complete answer key for all 18 multiple-choice questions. Assign the PDF for written practice or use the digital quiz for online responses and grading. Printable submissions can also be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this transcription and translation worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing or increase the font size so the multiple-choice options and nucleotide sequences are easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language. These changes can make the codon, base-pairing, and protein-synthesis questions more accessible without changing the practice content.

Where can I find more free worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a broad collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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