Unit 1 - Key Area 3 - DNA and The Production of Proteins

Question 1

What are chromosomes?

Answer 1

Genetic information is held in the chromosomes inside the nucleus. Chromosomes are divided up into sections of information called genes.

Question 2

What are genes?

Answer 2

Genes are made up of DNA and they carry information for making proteins.

Question 3

What is DNA made up of?

Answer 3

A genetic code of 4 bases:
Adenine 
Thymine 
Guanine 
Cytosine

Question 4

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 4

DNA is a double-stranded helix held by complementary base pairs found at the centre.

Question 5

How do bases pair?

Answer 5

Bases always pair in a specific way by complementary base pairing.
Adenine pairs with thymine.
Guanine pairs with cytosine.

Question 6

What does DNA carry?

Answer 6

DNA carries the genetic information for making proteins.

Question 7

What are proteins made up of?

Answer 7

Amino Acids

Question 8

What is the link between sequences and the function of proteins?

Answer 8

The sequence of bases in a gene determine the amino acid sequence in a protein.
The sequence of amino acids determines the function of a protein.

Question 9

Describe mRNA

Answer 9

DNA is a large molecule and can’t leave the nucleus.
mRNA is a smaller molecule which copies the gene(s) coding for the required protein by complementary base pairing.
mRNA carries the code out of the nucleus, through the cytoplasm to a ribosome where proteins are assembled.

Question 10

What does mRNA stand for?

Answer 10

Messenger RNA