Transcription and translation classwork practice sheet [36 

marks]
1. [1 mark]
The gene that codes for a particular polypeptide includes the base sequence shown.
GAGTACCCT
What is the base sequence of the mRNA molecule which is complementary to this
sequence?
A. GAGTACCCT
B. CTCATGGGA
C. GUGTUCCCT
D. CUCAUGGGA

Markscheme
D
2. [1 mark]
The base sequences of a short section of DNA are shown, together with mRNA that has
been transcribed from it and one of the tRNA anticodons that could be used to translate the
mRNA.

 
 
 
Which strand of DNA is transcribed and to which codon in the mRNA would the tRNA
anticodon bind during translation?
Markscheme
C
3. [1 mark]
What do DNA replication, transcription and translation have in common?
A. Take place in cell nucleus
B. Require free nucleotides
C. Catalysed by polymerase
D. Complementary base pairing

Markscheme
D
4. [1 mark]
A short sequence of nucleotides reads GGACAGAGCGCAGACGA. In which type of molecule
could this sequence be found?
A. DNA molecule only
B. RNA molecule only
C. Both in a DNA and an RNA molecule
D. In double-stranded DNA only

Markscheme
C
5. [1 mark]
A strand of mRNA consists of the following nucleotides:
AUUCUGGCUA
Which of the following represents the non-transcribed (sense) strand of the DNA?
A. TAAGACCGAT
B. ATTCTGGCTA
C. UAAGACCAU
D. AUUCUGGCUA

Markscheme
B
6a. [1 mark]
A short base sequence of mRNA and a table of the genetic code are shown below.
Sequence of mRNA

Table of the genetic code

Outline the function of codons.

Markscheme
«three bases on mRNA» coding for one amino acid «in a polypeptide» ✔
6b. [1 mark]
Determine the sequence of amino acids that could be translated from the sequence of
mRNA.
Markscheme
met-ser-arg-arg
OR
start-ser-arg-arg
OR
met-ser-arg-arg-stop
OR
start-ser-arg-arg-stop ✔
Do not accept peptides containing an amino acid/leu for the last codon.
6c. [1 mark]
Determine the DNA base sequence transcribed to form this sequence of mRNA.

Markscheme
TAC TCG GCT TCC ATC GAC ✔
6d. [1 mark]
Suggest a hypothesis that accounts for the slightly different meaning of some codons in a
very limited number of organisms.

Markscheme
they occurred after the common origin of life OWTTE
OR
the genetic code is not «in fact» universal ✔
Look for alternatives.

6e. [1 mark]
The diagram shows a section of a polypeptide.

Annotate the diagram to show a peptide bond between two amino acids.

Markscheme
any annotation between a C=O and the next NH ✔
e.g.
6f. [1 mark]
State the type of reaction that removes water while linking amino acids together to form
polypeptides.

Markscheme
condensation ✔
Do not accept anabolism alone.
6g. [2 marks]
Outline the function of Rubisco and of spider silk in relation to their three-dimensional
conformation.
Markscheme

Award [1] per correct row or correct column.

7a. [4 marks]
Outline the stages in the production of mRNA by transcription.
Markscheme
a. DNA is unwound/strands are separated «by RNA polymerase» ✔
b. new nucleotides attached to template strand «by RNA polymerase» ✔
c. complementary base pairing/base pairing with an example
OR
adenine with thymine/uracil with adenine/cytosine with guanine/guanine with cytosine ✔
d. mRNA detaches from template ✔
e. DNA rewinds ✔
7b. [4 marks]
Describe the functions of proteins in cell membranes.
Markscheme
a. facilitated diffusion by channel proteins ✔
b. active transport by protein pumps
OR
protein pumps eg sodium-potassium ✔
c. cell recognition by glycoproteins/protein receptors ✔
d. communication/receptors for hormones/signal molecules ✔
e. cell adhesion ✔
f. allow up to one additional mark for AHL material ✔
7c. [7 marks]
Explain how natural selection can lead to speciation.
Markscheme
a. natural selection is caused by selection pressures in the environment
OR
example of a selection pressure ✔
b. natural selection requires that variation exists within a species ✔
c. variation arises randomly due to mutation
OR
variation is enhanced by meiosis/sexual reproduction ✔
d. over-production of offspring promotes selection
OR
natural selection occurs when there is
competition/overpopulation/predators/environmental changes/changes in selection
pressures ✔
e. well adapted individuals/individuals with best variations survive to reproduce/survival
of fittest ✔
f. «frequency of» genes/alleles conferring an advantage are selected for
OR
genes/alleles conferring a disadvantage are selected against ✔
g. genetic divergence/difference increases
OR
natural selection «genetically» isolates members of a species so eventually they can no
longer produce fertile offspring ✔
h. genetic divergence» leads to reproductive isolation ✔
i. geographical/behavioural/ecological factors may lead to «reproductive» isolation ✔
j. prolonged «reproductive» isolation leads to speciation ✔
k. up to one additional mark for AHL information ✔
8a. [2 marks]
Label the parts of the DNA diagram indicated by I, II, III and IV.
Markscheme
a. I. cytosine 

b. II. sugar-phosphate/covalent/phosphodiester bond 

c. III. phosphate 
d. IV. deoxyribose
Award [1] for any two correct responses.
8b. [2 marks]
Explain how model making helped Watson and Crick to establish the structure of DNA.

Markscheme
a. decided to combine what was known about chemical content of DNA with information
from X-ray diffraction studies OWTTE.
b. built scale models of components of DNA 
c. then attempted to fit them together in a way that agreed with the data «from separate
sources» 
d. made several arrangements of scale model until found best one that fitted all the data
8c. [1 mark]
Distinguish between the chromosomes of eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells.
Markscheme
a. associated with «histone» proteins in eukaryotes but not prokaryotes
b. is linear in eukaryotes but circular in prokaryotes 
c. in cytoplasm in prokaryotes, but within nucleus in eukaryotes.
8d. [1 mark]
Outline the role of the enzyme helicase in replication.

Markscheme
unwinds/separates strands/double helix (by breaking hydrogen bonds) 
8e. [2 marks]
Outline the role of the enzyme DNA polymerase in replication.
 

Markscheme
a. links nucleotides together to form a new strand of DNA 

b. uses pre-existing strand of DNA as template 

c. makes covalent bonds between nucleotides
Printed for SEKOLAH BOGAR RAYA
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