Chapter lecture notes

Nucleic Acids and Transcription
Chapter 4 – Biology How Life Works (Morris et al.)


Reminders:
• Preparedness Quiz
• Due: Sept 16
• Do not leave completion to last minute!




Objectives:
• DNA Structure and Function – Review Activity
• The Central Dogma
• Comparison of RNA and DNA
• Transcription in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes
• RNA Processing
BIOL1010 and 1

BIOL1011

, DNA to Protein
DNA stores genetic
information, which
encodes for proteins

Genetic information is
stored in genes
Genes are turned on (gene
expression) and cause an
effect Gene regulation
controls when this
process should occur



Protein

This Photo by Unknown Author
is licensed under CC BY-SA


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, The Central Dogma
• The central dogma of molecular biology: DNA codes for
RNA and RNA codes for protein
DNA replication



Transcription Translation

Messenger RNA or mRNA Transfer RNA or tRNA
• Carries instructions for making • Links the code of mRNA and the code
polypeptides from DNA for specifying correct sequence of
• DNA serves as a template for amino acids in polypeptides
polypeptide synthesis • Information is translated from
• Information is copied (transcribed) “nucleotide language” to “amino acid
from DNA by mRNA language”

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