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DNA and Cellular Replication

Week 13-Life Science

The Structure of DNA

By the end of today…

• Know what DNA looks like, who discovered it, and why we care
• Understand base pairs and why they are critical for DNA’s genetic information

Replication

By the end of today…

• I can explain how DNA makes a copy of itself and list the steps involved.
• I can explain the important jobs of enzymes like helicase and DNA polymerase.
• I know where replication takes place inside the cell

Practice

https://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/dna/Have-Your-DNA-and-Eat-It-Too.pdf

Choose one of the sequences below.

Sequence 1: T A C G T A T G A A A C

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-or-

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Sequence 2: T G G T T T A G A A T T

Cellular Replication (Pg. 1, draw a line and then write “Cellular Replication”)

“IPMAT”

• Interphase: “Adulting” phase for the cell
• Prophase: The cell prepares to divide
• Metaphase: DNA (chromosomes) line up in the middle of the cell
• Anaphase: The chromosomes split to opposite ends of the cell
• Telophase: Two new cells form

Transcription

By the end of today…

• I can explain how transcription works, including what DNA, RNA polymerase, and mRNA do.
• I can describe the steps that turn DNA into mRNA.
• I know where transcription takes place inside the cell

Build sequence 1 using your DNA kit

Sequence 1: T A C G T A T G A A A C

Next…

1. Build the complementary RNA strand to your original (A-U, T-A, G-C, C-G)
2. The RNA strand you built is called mRNA (messenger RNA)

Transcription

• DNA to RNA (A-U, T-A, G-C, C-G)
• Takes place in the nucleus of the cell
• Step 1:
• Transcription factors mark the spot where the DNA needs to be copied
• Step 2:
• Proteins assemble around the transcription factors including RNA Polymerase
• Step 3:
• RNA Polymerase unzips a small portion of DNA at a time and matches new base pairs to produce mRNA

By the end of today…

• I can explain how transcription works, including what DNA, RNA polymerase, and mRNA do.
• I can describe the steps that turn DNA into mRNA.
• I know where transcription takes place inside the cell

DNA vs. RNA Comparison

By the end of today…

• Explain what makes DNA and RNA similar
• Explain what makes DNA and RNA different

https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/rna/

Visit this site and explore the interactive that highlights the differences between DNA and RNA

In your notebook draw a table that highlights the

similarities and differences between DNA and RNA

By the end of today…

• Explain what makes DNA and RNA similar
• Explain what makes DNA and RNA different