Lab Genetic 8
Lab Genetic 8
Lab Genetic 8
Nucleotides
Compare a deoxyribose unit to a ribose unit. Look at the formula of each molecule as printed on
the units.
How does deoxyribose differ from ribose sugar?
= The deoxyribosediffers from ribose sugar because deoxyribose is a component of DNA which
is lacks OH (alcohol group) on the 21 carbon ring. While ribose is a component of RNA which
contains OH group on the 211 carbon ring. The main difference between the two is that ribose
has an oxygen atom attached to carbon 2 .
The nucleotides of DNA contain deoxyribose sugar while nucleotides of RNA contain ribose
sugar.
Use the deoxyribose units to form the following DNA nucleotides:
2adenine, 6 cytosine, 2 guanine, and 2 thymine. Now use the ribose units to form the following
RNA nucletides: 2 adenine, 2 cytosine, 6 guanine, and 2 uracil.
Transcription
During transcription the two strands of a DNA molecule become separated along part of the
molecules length. One strand of DNA remains inactive, but the other, the sense strand, is used to
bring about the synthesis of RNA.
To demonstrate transcription, first use the deoxyribose nucleotides to form a single strand of
DNA. We will use this as the sense strand and ignore the antisense strand. Beginning at the 3 1
(sugar) end of the strand, pair each DNA nucleotide with its RNA complement (uracil of RNA
complements adenine of DNA) and link together the phosphate and ribose units to form a strand
of RNA synthesis begins at the end 5 1 end of the RNA strand and proceeds toward its 3 1 end).
Separate the RNA and DNA strands. Once RNA is formed, it is released from DNA and goes to
other parts of the cell.
How does transcription differ from replication?
=Transcription differs from replication because DNA replication occurs in preparation for cell
division, while transcription happens in preparation for protein translation. DNA replication is
important for properly regulating the growth and division of cells. The DNA will not replicate if
the cell lacks certain growth factors, thereby keeping the cell division rate under control.
Transcription of DNA is the method for regulating gene expression. Although all of our cells
contain copies of all of our genes, each cell only expresses, or turns on, the genes that are
necessary for the functions of that cell. Transcription only occurs when a gene is turned on.
Types of RNA
Transcription produces three major types of RNA : ribosomal (mRNA), transfer (tRNA), and
messenger (mRNA). Ribosomal RNA combines with proteins to form bodies called ribosomes.
The ribosomes become located in the cells cytoplasm and are centers for protein synthesis.
Transfer RNA reacts with amino acids in the cytoplasm and interacts with ribosomes and
messenger RNA in the assembly of amino acids into proteins. It is messenger RNA that brings
the instructions for protein synthesis (the genetic code) from DNA in the nucleus to the
ribosomes.