RNA Structure and Function
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AP Biology › RNA Structure and Function
In RNA, three nucleotide bases together determine the amino acid that is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation. This three base grouping is known as a(n) __________.
codon
gene
operator
promoter
polypeptide
Explanation
The three base grouping in RNA that determines the amino acid created in translation is known as a codon. Gene refers to the region on DNA that codes for a given trait. Operators and promoters are also located on DNA, and act as regulatory elements.
In RNA, three nucleotide bases together determine the amino acid that is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation. This three base grouping is known as a(n) __________.
codon
gene
operator
promoter
polypeptide
Explanation
The three base grouping in RNA that determines the amino acid created in translation is known as a codon. Gene refers to the region on DNA that codes for a given trait. Operators and promoters are also located on DNA, and act as regulatory elements.
In RNA, three nucleotide bases together determine the amino acid that is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation. This three base grouping is known as a(n) __________.
codon
gene
operator
promoter
polypeptide
Explanation
The three base grouping in RNA that determines the amino acid created in translation is known as a codon. Gene refers to the region on DNA that codes for a given trait. Operators and promoters are also located on DNA, and act as regulatory elements.
In terms of histone modification, what will result in a greater rate of gene expression?
Histone acetylation
DNA methylation
Alternative RNA splicing
Addition of 5' Terminal Cap
Addition of 3' Poly A Tail
Explanation
Histone acetylation is the process of adding acetyl groups to positively charged lysine groups of histones. This process loosens the histone which allows for an easier initiation of transcription, which will lead to greater gene expression. DNA methylation does the opposite by adding methyl groups to DNA and lowering the rate of transcription. Alternative RNA splicing deals with RNA having certain introns and exons spliced out in a manner that produces different strands of mRNA from the same template strand of RNA. Addition of 5’ Terminal Cap and the addition of 3’ Poly A Tail relate to gene expression in that they both have to do with creating mature mRNA that is ready for translation into protein.
In terms of histone modification, what will result in a greater rate of gene expression?
Histone acetylation
DNA methylation
Alternative RNA splicing
Addition of 5' Terminal Cap
Addition of 3' Poly A Tail
Explanation
Histone acetylation is the process of adding acetyl groups to positively charged lysine groups of histones. This process loosens the histone which allows for an easier initiation of transcription, which will lead to greater gene expression. DNA methylation does the opposite by adding methyl groups to DNA and lowering the rate of transcription. Alternative RNA splicing deals with RNA having certain introns and exons spliced out in a manner that produces different strands of mRNA from the same template strand of RNA. Addition of 5’ Terminal Cap and the addition of 3’ Poly A Tail relate to gene expression in that they both have to do with creating mature mRNA that is ready for translation into protein.
In terms of histone modification, what will result in a greater rate of gene expression?
Histone acetylation
DNA methylation
Alternative RNA splicing
Addition of 5' Terminal Cap
Addition of 3' Poly A Tail
Explanation
Histone acetylation is the process of adding acetyl groups to positively charged lysine groups of histones. This process loosens the histone which allows for an easier initiation of transcription, which will lead to greater gene expression. DNA methylation does the opposite by adding methyl groups to DNA and lowering the rate of transcription. Alternative RNA splicing deals with RNA having certain introns and exons spliced out in a manner that produces different strands of mRNA from the same template strand of RNA. Addition of 5’ Terminal Cap and the addition of 3’ Poly A Tail relate to gene expression in that they both have to do with creating mature mRNA that is ready for translation into protein.
Which of the following nucleic acid types encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide?
mRNA
tRNA
DNA
rRNA
snRNA
Explanation
mRNA, or messenger RNA, carries genetic information from DNA into a three-letter code that encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide (protein).
DNA contains the genetic instructions for structure and development of living things and stores genetic information over the long term.
tRNA, or transfer RNA, brings amino acids to ribosomes during translation of RNA to protein.
rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is a component of ribosomes along with ribosomal proteins. Ribosomes are the cell organelles responsible for translating mRNA to protein.
snRNA, or small nuclear RNA, forms complexes with proteins used in RNA processing. snRNA is found only in eukaryotes.
Which of the following nucleic acid types encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide?
mRNA
tRNA
DNA
rRNA
snRNA
Explanation
mRNA, or messenger RNA, carries genetic information from DNA into a three-letter code that encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide (protein).
DNA contains the genetic instructions for structure and development of living things and stores genetic information over the long term.
tRNA, or transfer RNA, brings amino acids to ribosomes during translation of RNA to protein.
rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is a component of ribosomes along with ribosomal proteins. Ribosomes are the cell organelles responsible for translating mRNA to protein.
snRNA, or small nuclear RNA, forms complexes with proteins used in RNA processing. snRNA is found only in eukaryotes.
Which of the following nucleic acid types encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide?
mRNA
tRNA
DNA
rRNA
snRNA
Explanation
mRNA, or messenger RNA, carries genetic information from DNA into a three-letter code that encodes the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide (protein).
DNA contains the genetic instructions for structure and development of living things and stores genetic information over the long term.
tRNA, or transfer RNA, brings amino acids to ribosomes during translation of RNA to protein.
rRNA, or ribosomal RNA, is a component of ribosomes along with ribosomal proteins. Ribosomes are the cell organelles responsible for translating mRNA to protein.
snRNA, or small nuclear RNA, forms complexes with proteins used in RNA processing. snRNA is found only in eukaryotes.
Eukaryotic cells are able to modify the primary mRNA transcript in a number of different ways. Which of the following answer choices is an advantage of post-transcriptional modification?
The primary transcript can be modified by a spliceosome, which can remove the mRNA's introns and shuffle the exons in a way that can produce multiple different protein products.
The primary transcript can be modified by a spliceosome, which can remove the mRNA's exons and shuffle the introns in a way that can produce multiple different protein products.
All of these
The 5' poly-A tail and 3' methyl cap help resist degradation of the mRNA transcript.
The 5' poly-A tail and 3' methyl cap help the mRNA transcript find and bind to the ribosome, and as such increase speed of translation.
Explanation
Post-transcriptional modification is very beneficial to eukaryotic cells, especially because spliceosomes allow for one primary mRNA transcript to code for multiple different proteins. During this modification, introns are removed from the mRNA transcript, and the exons (remaining segments of mRNA) are shuffled around into the order that creates the protein the cell needs at the moment. While the poly-A tail and methyl cap are also very useful, the poly-A tail is on the 3' end, and the methyl cap is on the 5' end.