BIOL 101

STUDY GUIDE: QUIZ 4,LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

STUDY GUIDE: QUIZ 4
Quiz Preparation Tasks: Your Answers andNotes

7 Information and Its Expression in the

Cell
7. The Expression of Biological Information
3
A Context for Understanding Gene Expression
When an organism expresses its set of genes, the result is all the visible
characteristics of that organism. These characteristics are called its
______________.
The term “transcription” means the process of reading a base sequence in the
molecule _____ to generate a complementary base sequence in the molecule
m_____.
Why is the word “translation” used for protein production?Which “language” is
being converted (or “decoded”) into which other “language”?
mRNA plays a central role in the expression of genes. View the center of
Figure 7.15. Which molecule does mRNA’s information come from by
transcription? What cytoplasmic organelle does that information finally end up
at? What is its product?
Describe 2major problems that transcription solves for the cell.
phenotype
DNA, RNA (mRNA)
Protein production is the process of converting the language of RNA
nucleotides into the language of amino acids in
proteins.During translation, the information contained in the order
of nucleotides in mRNA is used to determine the amino acid
sequence of a polypeptide. Before the primary transcript can leave
the nucleus it is modified in various ways during RNA
processing before the finished mRNA is exported to the cytoplasm.
Information from DNA is transcribed into mRNA which is then
transported to ribosomes. Information for mRNA comes from a
DNA molecule by transcription; this information is finally
transported to cytoplasmic ribosomes; base sequence is translated
into a sequence of amino acids (simple proteins/polypeptides).
1. Selectivity (We must have a way to use information
selectively and sequentially.)
2. the limitation of space for processing the information (We
can’t jam all those materials and ribosomes into the cell’s
nucleus.)

Transcription: Using Some Genes Now and Some Not at All

In the process of transcription, the base sequence in the molecule _______ is DNA, RNA, Polymerase
read by the molecule _____ _____________, an enzyme that makes an RNA
molecule.
In order to elongate mRNA, RNA polymerase must unwind and open double- DNA
stranded ______. (See Fig 7.19 and associated paragraph.)
In order to elongate mRNA, RNA polymerase must sense correct ___________ ribonucleotides
and incorporate them into the new RNA strand. (See Fig 7.19 and associated
paragraph.)

Page 1 of 5

In order to elongate mRNA, RNA polymerase must dislodge the _______
strand from its temporary pairing with DNA. (See Fig 7.19 and associated
paragraph.)
In order to elongate mRNA, RNA polymerase must __________ the RNA
strand to remove and replace copying errors. (See Fig 7.19 and associated
paragraph.)
Which RNA product gets incorporated into the structure of a ribosome, and
then helps the ribosome to recognize how and where to begin their work?
Following the transcription event in your own cells, list four parts of the overall
processing of pre-mRNA in the cell’s nucleus. See Figure 7.20. (Snipping and
rejoining are two separate parts of the processing.)
In the cell nucleus a pre-mRNA has its introns removed by ________ enzymes.
Translation: Making Proteins
There are 20 kinds of amino acids in proteins (That’s more than the number of
kinds of mRNA bases (4) available to code for them!). Yet each kind of amino
acid must be coded for in mRNA which has only four kinds of bases. Thus, a
short sequence of mRNA bases called a(n) _________ is used to code for each
amino acid in the translation process. See Table 7.2
What is a general name for a three-dimensional, folded molecule shaped like an
“L” with an anticodon at one end and an amino acid attachment site at the other
end? See Fig. 7.23
In the translation process, tRNA molecules are also called “adapter” molecules.
Why? What molecule does their “anti-codon” sequence bind to? See Figs.
7.24, 7.25 and 7.26. What is their net effect on amino acids as shown in Figure
7.26 e, f?
Transferring correct amino acids to the ribosome during elongation: this is a
good description of the role of the molecule ________ in the cell’s cytoplasm.
What is the role of tRNA synthetase in the cell’s cytoplasm? Fig 7.24, bottom.
Peptide bonds are formed during the __________ stage of translation. Figure
7.26 b, d,f
The role of the ribosome by means of its subunits associating together: creating
a channel for ______ to enter and exit. Fig 7.25
BIOL 101
RNA
proofread
rRNAs – Ribosomal RNA’s, they are folded structurally into
ribosome subunits, where they play a critical role in helping
ribosomes recognize how and where to begin their work.
-A guanosine ribonucleotide “cap” is added to the front end of RNA
-A long poly-adenine tail is added to the end of RNA
-Intron regions are spliced out of the mRNA
-Some exon regions of the mRNA are spliced together
Processing of Pre-mRNA
There are three elements to pre-mRNA processing. Unit of
transcription in DNA strand transcribed into pre-mRNA (a) A single
guanine nucleotide is added as a “cap” to facilitate initial alignment
of the message on the ribosome. (b) A poly-adenine “tail” is added
to the message to control its longevity in the cytoplasm. (c) Introns
and some exons are excised from the message leaving only the exons
that will encode the desired protein product.
Splicing enzymes - small particles composed of protein and RNA
that attach to pre-mRNA at junction points between introns and
exons; they cut RNA at these sites, remove intron sequences, leaving
exon sequences contiguous to each other
Codons - a sequence of three adjacent nucleotide bases in mRNA
that code for a single amino acid in a sequence within a polypeptide
chain or protein
tRNA (transfer RNA)
By binding to mRNA codons properly, they arrange amino acids in
the correct sequene needed for translation. Each (tRNA synthetases)
is capable of bonding the one amino acid it recognizes to any of the
one to four tRNAs whose anticodons complement the correct codon
for that amino acid.
tRNA
To keep the enite collection or “pool” of tRNAs in the cell charged
with their respective amino acids
tRNA synthetases - an enzyme that recognizes the structure of from
one to four tRNAs that specify a particular amino acid; the enzyme
links them covalently to that correct amino acid
Elongation
mRNA
Page 2 of 5
 BIOL 101

The role of the ribosome or its subunits: helping tRNA _____-codons to bind Anti-codons, amino acid/ molecule?
to mRNA ______. Figs 7.24, 7.26
The role of the ribosome or its subunits: comparing _____ anti-codons against tRNA, mRNA
corresponding _____ codons. Fig 7.26
The role of the ribosome or its subunits: binding _______ ______ together to Amino acids
form a polypeptide chain. Fig 7.26
Place the following terms into a sequence that best represents the overall flow Transcription, Pre-mRNA processing, Translation, Protein
of information in a cell: translation, pre-mRNA processing, export, processing, Export
transcription, protein processing. (See Figure 7.28)
List all of the organelles involved in the flow of information from archival Nucleus, Ribosome, Ribosomal subunits, Cell membrane,
DNA to its expression as a resulting glycoprotein. See Figs. 7.15, 7.26, 7.28 Cytoplasm, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex

The Genetic Code

The ________________ is often represented as a chart in which a specific Genetic code
sequence of bases in mRNA (a codon) is used to represent each amino acid
building block found in the world of proteins. See Fig 7.22
The genetic code is said to be degenerate. What does this mean? That most of the amino acids are specified by more than one codon.

8 Informational Continuity in Cells

8. A Thin Skin of Life Chasing Death
1
What are the 3 essential resources that a daughter cell must get from a parent -A good supply of life’s monomers (recyclables like sugars and
cell or from nature in order to succeed in living life? Fig 8.1 amino acids)
-A persistent supply of energy
-A continuous source of information to direct growth
Life perpetuates itself at the _________ level of organization by acquiring Cellular level
monomers and energy sources at the microscopic level and by carrying out (B and D above)
absorption, processing and growing “for” the organism. (Review Fig. 1.17)

8. Cell Division: A Requirement for Life

2
When DNA is replicated, the two strands are first separated through breakage Hydrogen bonds, template
of interior ___________ ________; each strand then serves as a_________
against which two new strands are made.

8. Cell Division is Part of a Cycle: The Cell Cycle

3
List the four symbols/names for the four stages of the cell cycle. Fig 8.7 -Mitotic (M) phase – mitosis, cytokinesis (formation of 2 daughter
cells)
-Interphase G1 – cell growth
*G0 – cell cycle arrest*
-Interphase S – DNA synthesis (replicates & chromosomal proteins
are duplicated)
-Interphase G2 – cell growth, cell prepares for divison
The “S” phase of the cell cycle represents the activity of DNA ____________. Synthesis

Page 3 of 5
 BIOL 101

The nuclear membrane of the cell disintegrates is controlled by the: interaction 1. receptor
of hormones with cell surface ________ proteins, interaction of receptor 2. regulatory
proteins with ______ intermediates, interaction of cyclins with ______ 3. kinase
proteins, and interaction of kinase proteins with inactive _______ proteins. (Fig 4. regulatory
8.8)

8. Mitosis
4
List in order the stages of mitosis. Fig 8.10 Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
The nuclear membrane of the cell disintegrates during which mitotic period of Prophase
the cell cycle? Fig 8.10
The mitotic stage of metaphase is most clearly defined by what organelle Microtubules shorten toward both poles pulling all chomosomes to
activity with what result? Fig 8.10 (This organelle is attached to a the middle of the spindle. The system is neatly designed so that
kinetochore.) chromosome condensation reaches its maximum during this critical
phase
The de-condensation of visible chromosomes back into chromatin fibers is a Telophase
defining feature of which phase of the cell cycle? Fig 8.10

8. Cancer: Mutation Threatening Design

6
The Unifying Basis of Cancer
List the 2principle characteristics of the disease cancer.
An ___________ is a mutated form of a gene that normally directs the
activation of regulatory pathways moving a cell toward division. Fig 8.16
What do we call genes that normally direct the inhibition of cell division
regulatory pathways? Fig 8.16
-Cells that divide in an uncontrolled fashion.
-Cells that no longer respect their role or confinement within their
tissue of origin.
Oncogenes- (Gk. Oncons = tumor)
Move the affected cell toward the cancerous state
Tumor suppressor genes - a normal cellular gene whose product
inhibits progress toward cell division; its mutation or loss leads to
cancer

A Tale of Two Cancer Genes

In healthy cells, what is the normal function of the activated Ras protein? see To activate a cascade of intracellular protein kinase enzymes.
Fig 8.18 (4) Ras is an intermediate in the control pathway that moves a cell from
phase in the cell cycle past a checkpoint and on into S phase.

9 Complexity IV: From Cell to Organism

9. Development: Decoding a Master Plan
1
What Can be Done with a Fertilized Egg?
Information for developing an animal comes from within the animal. This is a Automobile
major difference between animal development and ____________
development.

Getting From One Cell to You or to a Tree

Page 4 of 5

List the recognized organ systems to be found within the human body.
Summarize the structure and function of the endocrine system.
9. Development of a Human Being
3
Early Events
A sequence of human cell divisions accompanied by some growth and cell
differentiation convert an early, solid ball of cells called a ___________ into a
hollow ball of cells called a _________. see Fig 9.17
Embryonic Differentiation of Organ Systems
List and distinguish all the terms that would be used to describe aspects of the
three-dimensional adult form? Fig 9.19
In the three-dimensional form of the adult Dalmatian dog, what would the
“front” end of the animal be named? Fig 9.19
Your primordial (early) _________ (an organ) began as a fusion of two
endocardial tubes near your midline. (Fig 9.23 and text references)
Organogenesis of the Brain
List the 5(early) regions of the brain found in a 7-week-old human embryo. Fig
9.24b
In order to differentiate into early brain regions, cells that will form these
regions must have surface receptors for both the _____ and _____ signal
proteins. Fig 9.25
What is the role of the adult cerebrum?
Which part of the mature adult brain exerts a dominant control over the
endocrine system? The _______________ (along with the pituitary gland)
Heart rate and respiratory inhalation rates in the mature adult are controlled by
the ___________ ___________ (brain region).
The brain most directly interacts with and controls the _______ ______ and the
peripheral _________. (the other part of its organ system).
BIOL 101
Nervous, endocrine, muscular, skeletal, integumentary, circulatory,
lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, excretory, reproductive
Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal
body, and reproductive organs (ovaries, testes)
The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete
hormones, chemical substances produced in the body that regulate
the activity of cells or organs. These hormones regulate the body's
growth, metabolism (the physical and chemical processes of the
body), and sexual development and function.
Morula - a very early embryonic stage of development in mammals
in which initial cleavage divisions have given rise to a ball of cells
Blastocyst - an early developmental stage in the human embryo in
which further cell divisions in the morula have generated a hollow
ball of cells with a central, fluid-filled cavity; implantation in the
uterus occurs in this stage
Anterior aspect (front end) – walking, crawling, gliding forward
Posterior aspect (hind end)
Dorsal surface (back/upper side)
Ventral surface (belly/underside)
Anterior aspect
Heart
Telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, metencenphalon,
myelencephalon
Wnt - a widely distributed class of signal proteins in animals that are
generated in one cell type and induce differentiation in nearby cells
that specifically bind them
SHH – (sonic hedgehog) one of three signaling proteins in the
mammalian “hedgehog” signalling pathway; involved in brain
organization, digit formation
Controls all sensory and motor function and is the locus of thought
and memory
Ventral hypothalamus
Medulla oblongata
Spinal cord, nerves
Page 5 of 5