RNA:Structure, Function, Transcription, Translation

Puzzle Activity

1. The process of transferring the genetic code from DNA to RNA is

called transcription .

2. DNA is used as the pattern or template to make RNA.

3. RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. RNA and DNA are both nucleic acids

RNA NUCELOTIDES

4. Ribose
a. What type of molecule is it?
sugar
b. What shape does it form?
ring
c. How is ribose different from deoxyribose?
one more oxygen

5. Phosphate group
a. What does the phosphate bond to? (same as in DNA nucleotide)
sugar molecule - ribose

6. Nitrogen Base
a. What are the four nitrogen bases used to make RNA nucleotides?
adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil
b. Which base from DNA is replaced by uracil?
thymine
c. Is uracil a purine or a pyrimidine?
single ring - pyrimidine
d. What base is uracil complementary to?
adenine
TRANSCRIPTION: the making of RNA from DNA

7. What happens first during transcription?

DNA unwinds and separates
8. Are both DNA strands used as patterns to make RNA?
No, only one
9. Describe how the RNA strand is made.
DNA unwinds and separates, RNA nucleotides in nucleus
bond to one side of DNA, when gene is completed mRNA
breaks off and leaves nucleus, DNA closes back up

10. What direction is the RNA strand made?

5’ -3’
11. Once the RNA strand is made it is released from the DNA and leaves
the nucleus to go to other parts of the cell.

12. How does transcription differ from replication?

Making RNA, not DNA
13. Is RNA single or double-stranded?
single
TYPES OF RNA

14. What are the 3 types of RNA and their abbreviations?

messenger RNA- mRNA, ribosomal RNA – rRNA
transfer RNA-tRNA
15. Complete the table.

Type of Shape Function Location

RNA
mRNA Single Carries code from DNA in Nucleus ->
Strand nucleus to ribosome ribosome

tRNA Single Carries amino acids to ribosome Cytoplasm

strand in order to make protein -> ribosome
folded in
a T shape
rRNA Globular Combines with proteins to form ribosomes
ribosomes
mRNA AND THE GENETIC CODE

16. What controls the sequence of RNA bases?

the DNA sequence

17. The RNA nucleotides are complimentary to the DNA nucleotides

18. What is a codon?

3 mRNA bases

19. What do the mRNA codons code for?

amino acids

20. What polymer does a chain of amino acids make?

protein

21. Which amino acids are specified by the RNA strand that you have
assembled?
cysteine, glutamic acid

22. What is the name of the process that makes RNA from DNA? Where
in the cell does it occur?
transcription; nucleus
23. Complete the table by using check marks to indicate to which molecule
each characteristic applies. Some characteristics may be found in
both molecules.

Similarities and Differences Between DNA and RNA

DNA RNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid X
Ribonucleic acid X
Ribose present X
Deoxyribose present X
Phosphate group X X
present
Adenine present X X
Thymine present X
Uracil present X
Guanine present X X
Cytosine present X X
Formed from X X
nucleotides
Double-stranded X
Single-stranded X
Remains in nucleus X
Moves out of nucleus X
Contains a chemical X X
message or code