Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and Life Sciences Grade 12

GRADE
TERM 1 Week 3
TOPIC RNA and protein synthesis
AIMS OF LESSON At the end of this lesson you should be able to know the following:
• RNA: Types, location, structure
• Genetic code
• Protein synthesis - transcription and translation
RESOURCES Paper based resources Digital resources
Refer to: Refer to pages 1 to 8 of the Mind the Gap Study
• Your textbook section on RNA and protein Guide:
synthesis https://wcedeportal.co.za/eresource/112781
• The National Examination Guideline
document Click on the link below to watch a Telematics video
• The Mind the Gap Study Guide on protein synthesis:
• Past NSC examination papers https://bit.ly/2lkL83C

INTRODUCTION • Revise the cell structure covered in Grade 10 with emphasis on the ribosome, cytoplasm and parts
of the nucleus
• Also revise nucleic acids that were covered in Grade 10
CONCEPTS AND Two kinds of nucleic acids are found in a cell, namely DNA Know the meaning of instructional verbs in test
SKILLS and RNA. Nucleic acids consist of nucleotides. and examination questions e.g.

Location of RNA: Instructional Meaning

verb
• mRNA is formed in the nucleus and functions on
Name Give the name of
the ribosome
• tRNA is located in the cytoplasm something
Differentiate Use differences to qualify
➢ RNA plays a role in protein synthesis between two or more
categories
Structure of RNA: Tabulate Draw a table and indicate
the answers as direct pairs.
• RNA is single stranded and is made up of
nucleotides Describe State in sentences the
• Each nucleotide consists of a sugar molecule main points of a process
called ribose, a phosphate group and a Explain Give your answer in a
nitrogenous base. cause-effect or statement
• The four types of nitrogenous bases in RNA are and reason sequence
adenine (A), uracil (U), guanine(G) and
Compare Give similarities and
cytosine(C)
• The phosphate group is attached to the ribose differences between
sugar and the nitrogenous base is attached to the concepts
ribose sugar
• Nitrogenous bases on RNA are arranged in triplets Question 1:
i.e. codons on mRNA and anticodons on tRNA Give the correct biological term for each of
• tRNA has a clover-leaf/hairpin structure
the following descriptions.
• tRNA has a place of attachment for an amino
acid.
1. The sugar found in RNA.
2. The bond that forms between two amino
acids.
3. Openings in the nuclear membrane that
allow mRNA to leave the nucleus.
4. The stage of protein synthesis during which
mRNA forms from DNA.
5. The type of RNA containing anticodons.
6. The organelle in a cell where translation
occurs.
7. The organelle in the cytoplasm which is the
site of protein synthesis.
8. The type of nucleic acid that carries a
specific amino acid.
9. Nitrogenous base found only in RNA
molecules.

Question 2:
2. The diagram below shows part of a process
involved in the production of a protein (Nov
2019 P2)

2.1 Identify molecule Y

2.2 Identify the group of nitrogenous bases Z
2.3 If X is the next amino acid required after W,
then identify:
(a) Nitrogenous bases 1, 2 and 3
(b) The DNA base triplet that codes for X
3. Describe the process of transcription.
Differences between DNA and RNA: Question 3:
3. The sequence of amino acids in a protein
DNA RNA molecule is coded for by DNA and RNA. The
Double – stranded Single stranded molecule table below shows some mRNA codons and
molecule the corresponding amino acids. (Nov 2017 P2)
Contains deoxyribose Contains ribose sugar
sugar
Contains the nitrogenous Contains the nitrogenous
base thymine base uracil

Protein synthesis:

The involvement of DNA and RNA in protein synthesis:

3.1 According to the table, how many codons

code for phenylalanine?
3.2 What is the anticodon for glutamic acid?
3.3 A section of mRNA has the following base
sequence and is read from left to right:
GAU CUC GAC AGC AUG ACC
(a) Give the DNA base triplet for the LAST
codon on this section of mRNA
(b) Give the FIRST amino acid coded for by this
section of mRNA
3.4 Name and describe the process occurring
in the nucleus which results in the formation of
a mRNA molecule.
The process of protein synthesis occurs in two main steps Question 4:
i.e. transcription and translation: 4. A section of a DNA molecule has the
following base sequence: (June 2019 P2)
Transcription:
CTT ACA
• The double helix DNA unwinds. 4.1 Give the mRNA sequence, from left to right,
• The double-stranded DNA unzips/weak hydrogen for this segment of DNA.
bonds break 4.2 The table below shows the DNA triplets that
• Two separate strands are formed. code for some amino acids.
• One strand is used as a template to form mRNA
• Free RNA nucleotides from the nucleoplasm are
used.
• The mRNA is complementary to the DNA.
• mRNA now has the coded message for protein
synthesis. mRNA moves from the nucleus to the
cytoplasm and attaches to the ribosome.

Translation: Give the sequence of amino acids that would

be coded for by the section of DNA above.
• Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid.
4.3 Give the anticodon for the amino acid
• The anticodon on the tRNA matches the codon on
the mRNA methionine.
• tRNA brings the required amino acid to the
ribosome. (Note: Names of specific codons,
anticodons and their amino acids are not to be Question 5:
memorised.) 5.1 Describe the structure of RNA in a cell and
• Amino acids become attached by peptide bonds the involvement of the different types of RNA in
to form the required protein.
protein synthesis (Nov 2018 P2)
Remember: DNA in the nucleus provides the genetic
code that determine the type and sequence of amino
acids in a protein.
Common errors made by learners in examinations:
• Unable to answer and interpret questions based on
the structure of RNA and protein synthesis.
• Unable to describe the structure of RNA
• Unable to correctly describe the processes of
transcription and translation.
• Unable to interpret and answer questions on
protein synthesis based on given diagrams
• Unable to identify codons, anticodons and DNA
base triplets for the next amino acid from
information on a given diagram,
• Do not know how to do ‘base pairing in protein
synthesis’ i.e. from DNA to mRNA (codons) to tRNA
(anticodons) to amino acids, and
the reverse process.
Question 6:
6. Insulin is one of the hormones responsible for
the control of blood glucose levels in humans. It
is made up of two long amino acid chains, A
and B, which are joined. Chain A is made up of
21 amino acids and chain B of 30 amino acids.
(June 2018 P2)
The diagram below represents the amino acids
present in each chain.
6.1 Name the process whereby insulin is
produced in a normal human cell.
6.2 Identify bond X.
6.3 How many nitrogenous bases in a DNA
molecule code for the amino acids in chain A?
6.4 The table below shows the mRNA codons
that code for some amino acids.
(a) Name the nitrogenous base represented by
G in the mRNA codon CAG.
(b) Read the chains from left to right and give
the:
(i) Codon for the fourth amino acid in chain B
(ii) DNA base triplet that codes for the first
amino acid in chain A
(c) Give the anticodon for valine.

Question 7:
7. The diagram below represents two stages of
protein synthesis. (March 2016 P2)

7.1 Provide labels for:

(a) Molecule 1
(b) Organelle 6
7.2 Give only the NUMBER of the part which
represents a:
(a) DNA template strand
(b) Monomer of proteins
(c) Codon
 7.3 Describe translation as it occurs at
organelle 6.
7.4 Provide the:
(a) DNA sequence that codes for glycine
(b) Codon for proline

Question 8:
8.1 State TWO differences between a DNA
nucleotide and an RNA nucleotide. (March
2016 P2)
ACTIVITIES/ • Complete the questions in this lesson
ASSESSMENT
CONSOLIDATION • Work through the questions on the structure of RNA and protein synthesis in past NSC examination
papers
• Reflect on your learning and understanding of this topic and assess your progress
VALUES By studying this section, you will develop an ability to critically evaluate and debate scientific issues,
concepts and processes.