Biology 120 Worksheet: Chapters 26 (DNA) & 27 (Protein Synthesis)

1. DNA stands for what?

2. How many of your cells contain this molecule?

3. Why is DNA so fascinating to scientists?

4. In general, what is the function of DNA?

5. Your genetic code is contained in how many chromosomes?

6. The chromosomes contain about how many genes?

7. How does DNA ensure the continuity of life?

8. What are mutations?

9. What are chromosomes?

10. What is the basic unit of a nucleic acid?

11. What is the overall shape of a DNA molecule?

12. Watson and Crick discovered the shape of DNA molecules by taking their "pictures" using what type of energy?

13. The DNA molecule is sometimes compared to a twisted ladder. What is the correct name for this shape?

14. Review: What are the three sections of a DNA molecule?

15. What sections make up the side rails of the ladder?

16. Which form the rungs?

17. How are the rungs created?

18. Name the process of DNA reproducing itself.

19. Why is the process called semi-conservative replication?

20. What is the function of the original halves of the DNA ladder?

21. What is the purpose of the polymerase enzymes?

22. Where are the new parts needed for duplication of the DNA located?

23. What factors may encourage duplication errors?

24. How does the body try to correct duplication errors?

25. Read about the work of Dr. Baird. The whole question of genetic manipulation is a HUGE issue that sometimes seems confusing because of its interlocking moral, technological and economic aspects.

26. What is the main legal implication of DNA technology?

27. What is recombinant DNA?

28. Review: Your body's protein contains how many different amino acids?

29. How important are proteins?

30. How many amino acids are need to make one protein?

31. The instruction from how many genes are needed to make a single protein?

32. What is a codon?

33. Where does the protein synthesis occur?

34. What is the importance of RNA in the process?

35. What is a model for the creation of mRNA?

36. Now, the big question of this chapter: what happens during the actual protein synthesis?

37. What is the impact of mutations?

38. What are oncogenes?

39. What is the function of structural genes?

40. What about regulator genes?

41. Read about the work of Dr. Mehta and his identification of carcinogens.