Worksheet on DNA

name_____________________________ Date ____________ Period _____________

1. What does DNA stand for? ______________________________________

2. Where in the cell are chromosomes located? ________________

3. DNA is sometimes described as a twisted ladder. What is this shape called? ___________________

4. Draw and label a nucleotide (3 main parts) (A simple diagram is sufficient)

5. What forms the backbone of DNA? _______________________ and _______________________

6. What forms the rings of the ladder of DNA? ____________________________________

7. Write the names of the nitrogenous bases in pairs:

_______________ and _________________

________________ and ______________

8. Which nitrogen bases are complementary to each other?

9. Create a matching (complementary) DNA sequence for the following strand:

DNA Replication

10. What is DNA replication? Describe in your own words.

11. Why do cells need to perform DNA replication?

12. DNA must “unzip” to replicate. Describe how DNA “unzips”. Include the name of the enzyme involved.
Protein Synthesis

13. What is transcription?

14. What does DNA code for?

15. What does RNA stand for?

16. Create a matching (complementary) mRNA sequence for the following strand of a DNA molecule:

17. Where does messenger RNA (mRNA) go?

18. What is a codon?

19. List each codon from the mRNA molecule in #18 (put a dash between each separate codon).

20. What is translation?

21. What is an anticodon?

22. Where are proteins made in the cell? _____________________________

23. Use the amino acid chart in your notes to translate the sequence of codons (from #16) and write the
amino acid sequence that results below:

Amino Acid Sequence: