Genes Make Proteins - Middle School Life Science
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Which cellular structure reads genetic messages to assemble proteins?
Which cellular structure reads genetic messages to assemble proteins?
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Ribosome. This organelle translates mRNA into proteins.
Ribosome. This organelle translates mRNA into proteins.
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What is transcription?
What is transcription?
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Copying a gene’s DNA sequence into mRNA. DNA is transcribed to mRNA in the nucleus.
Copying a gene’s DNA sequence into mRNA. DNA is transcribed to mRNA in the nucleus.
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What is translation?
What is translation?
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Using mRNA to assemble amino acids into a protein. Ribosomes translate mRNA codons into amino acid chains.
Using mRNA to assemble amino acids into a protein. Ribosomes translate mRNA codons into amino acid chains.
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Which monomers are linked together to build proteins?
Which monomers are linked together to build proteins?
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Amino acids. Proteins are polymers of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
Amino acids. Proteins are polymers of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
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What is a gene, in terms of its role in making proteins?
What is a gene, in terms of its role in making proteins?
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A DNA segment that contains instructions for making a protein. Genes are specific DNA sequences that encode proteins.
A DNA segment that contains instructions for making a protein. Genes are specific DNA sequences that encode proteins.
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What molecule stores genes in most organisms?
What molecule stores genes in most organisms?
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DNA. Genes are segments of DNA molecules in the nucleus.
DNA. Genes are segments of DNA molecules in the nucleus.
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What is a protein, in the context of gene instructions?
What is a protein, in the context of gene instructions?
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A chain of amino acids built from genetic instructions. Genes specify the order of amino acids in proteins.
A chain of amino acids built from genetic instructions. Genes specify the order of amino acids in proteins.
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What type of RNA carries the copied gene message from nucleus to ribosome?
What type of RNA carries the copied gene message from nucleus to ribosome?
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mRNA (messenger RNA). This RNA type carries genetic info from DNA to ribosomes.
mRNA (messenger RNA). This RNA type carries genetic info from DNA to ribosomes.
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Which RNA type brings specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation?
Which RNA type brings specific amino acids to the ribosome during translation?
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tRNA (transfer RNA). Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid to match codons.
tRNA (transfer RNA). Each tRNA carries a specific amino acid to match codons.
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What is a codon?
What is a codon?
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A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for an amino acid. Three RNA bases form one unit of the genetic code.
A three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that codes for an amino acid. Three RNA bases form one unit of the genetic code.
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What is the relationship between codons and amino acids?
What is the relationship between codons and amino acids?
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Each codon specifies one amino acid (or a stop signal). The genetic code links triplet sequences to amino acids.
Each codon specifies one amino acid (or a stop signal). The genetic code links triplet sequences to amino acids.
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Which option best completes the sequence: DNA → ____ → protein?
Which option best completes the sequence: DNA → ____ → protein?
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mRNA. mRNA is the intermediate between DNA and proteins.
mRNA. mRNA is the intermediate between DNA and proteins.
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Identify the correct order of processes for gene expression: translation or transcription first?
Identify the correct order of processes for gene expression: translation or transcription first?
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Transcription first, then translation. DNA must be transcribed before it can be translated.
Transcription first, then translation. DNA must be transcribed before it can be translated.
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Which molecule is directly read by the ribosome: DNA or mRNA?
Which molecule is directly read by the ribosome: DNA or mRNA?
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mRNA. Ribosomes cannot read DNA directly, only RNA.
mRNA. Ribosomes cannot read DNA directly, only RNA.
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Choose the term that best matches: “instructions for traits” in a cell.
Choose the term that best matches: “instructions for traits” in a cell.
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Genes. Genes contain the coded instructions for inherited traits.
Genes. Genes contain the coded instructions for inherited traits.
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What is the main reason different genes can produce different proteins?
What is the main reason different genes can produce different proteins?
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They have different DNA base sequences. Different sequences code for different amino acid orders.
They have different DNA base sequences. Different sequences code for different amino acid orders.
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If a gene’s DNA sequence changes, what is the most likely effect on the protein?
If a gene’s DNA sequence changes, what is the most likely effect on the protein?
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The amino acid sequence may change. DNA changes alter the protein's primary structure.
The amino acid sequence may change. DNA changes alter the protein's primary structure.
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What is a mutation, in the context of genes and proteins?
What is a mutation, in the context of genes and proteins?
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A change in a gene’s DNA sequence. Mutations alter genetic instructions for proteins.
A change in a gene’s DNA sequence. Mutations alter genetic instructions for proteins.
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Which molecule stores the genetic instructions for making proteins: DNA, lipid, or glucose?
Which molecule stores the genetic instructions for making proteins: DNA, lipid, or glucose?
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DNA. Only DNA contains genes with protein-making instructions.
DNA. Only DNA contains genes with protein-making instructions.
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What cell structure reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into a protein?
What cell structure reads mRNA and assembles amino acids into a protein?
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A ribosome. Ribosomes are the protein synthesis machinery.
A ribosome. Ribosomes are the protein synthesis machinery.
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Which option best defines a mutation: a change in DNA sequence or a change in amino acid type?
Which option best defines a mutation: a change in DNA sequence or a change in amino acid type?
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A change in DNA sequence. Mutations alter genetic code, not just amino acids.
A change in DNA sequence. Mutations alter genetic code, not just amino acids.
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Identify the correct sequence of information flow for making a protein.
Identify the correct sequence of information flow for making a protein.
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DNA → mRNA → protein. Central dogma: genetic info flows from DNA to RNA to protein.
DNA → mRNA → protein. Central dogma: genetic info flows from DNA to RNA to protein.
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What does it mean when two cells have the same DNA but different proteins?
What does it mean when two cells have the same DNA but different proteins?
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Different genes are being expressed in each cell. Cells control which genes are turned on or off.
Different genes are being expressed in each cell. Cells control which genes are turned on or off.
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Which RNA molecule matches anticodons to codons and brings amino acids to the ribosome?
Which RNA molecule matches anticodons to codons and brings amino acids to the ribosome?
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tRNA (transfer RNA). tRNA carries amino acids to match mRNA codons.
tRNA (transfer RNA). tRNA carries amino acids to match mRNA codons.
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Which molecule carries a gene’s message from the nucleus to a ribosome?
Which molecule carries a gene’s message from the nucleus to a ribosome?
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mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA is the messenger between DNA and ribosomes.
mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA is the messenger between DNA and ribosomes.
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