Biology 30
Molecular Genetics
Information
Major Text: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Inquiry into Biology, Chapter 18.
Lab Exercises: - Protein Synthesis – This is to be brought to a teacher for evaluation.
- Biotechnology: DNA Fingerprinting
Evaluation:
A test is to be written at the end of this unit. It will cover all of the objectives for this topic. You must have your lab write-ups approved by a Biology teacher in order to get test permission.
Introduction: D.N.A. is an extremely important molecule. Without it, life could not exist. It is the basis of inheritance for all forms of life and controls protein synthesis in a cell. It might be surprising to learn that we have only had an understanding of the structure and function of D.N.A. for less than 80 years. What we have learned in that time has been truly astounding. We have now mapped the entire human genome and have become adept at manipulating the genetic structure of several organisms. Current applications of such technologies are evident in medicine, agriculture and industry. In these units you will learn about the early days of D.N.A. research, the structure of D.N.A., the process of D.N.A. replication, how D.N.A. directs protein synthesis, and current technologies related to manipulating D.N.A.
Objectives: When you have completed the learning activities for these units you will be expected to:
1. Outline the scientific contributions relating to D.N.A. made by Levene
Griffith, Avery, McCarty, and MacLeod, Hershey and Chase, and Franklin (pages 624- 626)
2. Describe the structure of D.N.A. and its basic building block, the nucleotide. (pages
626-628)
3. Explain Chargaff's rules. (pages 626-628)
4. Describe the double helical nature of D.N.A. as described by Watson and Crick. (pages
626-628)
5. Outline the differences between D.N.A and R.N.A. (page 629)
6. Describe the relationships between a genome, chromosomes, and genes. (pages 629-
630)
7. Describe the process of semi-conservative replication. (pages 630-633)
8. Explain the roles of the different enzymes involved in D.N.A. replication. (pages 630-
633)
9. Explain how protein synthesis is a 2 step process involving transcription and
translation. (page 636)
10. Describe the three characteristics of the genetic code. (pages 636-637)
11. Describe the process of transcription. (pages 637-638)
12. Describe the process of translation. (pages 638-640)
13. List the functions of the three types of R.N.A. (page 638-640)
14. Explain the fields of genomics and proteomics. (pages 640-642)
15. Differentiate between a somatic cell mutation and a germ line mutation. (page 643)
16. Describe point mutations, silent mutations, nonsense mutations, missense mutations,
and frameshift mutations. (pages 643-644)
17. Distinguish between a point mutation and a chromosomal mutation. (pages 643-644)
18. List several causes of mutations. (pages 644-645)
19. Describe how mitochondrial D.N.A. is passed on differently than nuclear D.N.A.
(pages646-647)
20. Outline the steps required for making recombinant D.N.A., including using restriction
enzymes, electrophoresis, ligase, and plasmid vectors. (Appendix A – Recombinant
DNA, The Process)
21. Explain how electrophoresis can be used to make a D.N.A. fingerprint. Identify some
applications of this technology. (pages 649- 651)
22. Outline the benefits of genetic research to society. (page 653)
23. Describe some of the controversy involved in genetics research. (pages 653-654)
24. List and explain the products based on biotechnology given in the text. These include
medicinal bacteria, transgenic plants and cloned and transgenic animals. (pages 654-
657)
25. Identify some of the risks involved with transgenic organisms. (pages 657-658)
26. Outline the procedures of prenatal diagnosis including ultrasound.
(pages 658-659)
27. Explain how a D.N.A. probe can be used to test for certain genetic markers. (page
659)
28. Describe the process of gene therapy. (Pages 660-661)
29. Differentiate between somatic gene therapy and germ-line therapy. (pages 660-661)
Learning Activities: When doing the readings for these units, take note as you see fit. Pay close attention to bold terms and diagrams. The practice questions at the end of each section might be useful to gage your understanding of the concepts.
1. You are responsible for the information presented in chapter 18 of the text as well as Appendix A.
Appendix A: Molecular Genetics Appendix A
2. Do as many of the review questions from the textbook as you find necessary to master the material. The following questions should definitely be considered: page 635 1-4, 6-10, page 642 1-10, page 651 1-7, page 661 1-7. The chapter 18 review on pages 664-665 might also be helpful. The answers to all textbook questions can be found on D2L.
Molecular Genetics Textbook answers: Molecular Genetics Text Answers
3. Vocabulary check: Be able to define the following words:
transforming principle
D.N.A
R.N.A.
nucleotide
adenine
thymine
guanine
cytosine
uracil
complementary base pairs
antiparallel
genome
chromosome
D.N.A. replication
semi-conservative
replication origin
helicase
replication bubble
replication fork
D.N.A. polymerase
elongation
primer
leading strand
lagging strand
Okazaki fragments
primase
D.N.A. ligase
replication machine
termination
D.N.A sequencing
human genome project
amino acid
genetic code
central dogma
transcription
mRMA
tRNA
rRNA
anticodon
RNA polymerase
promoter
genomics
proteomics
somatic cell mutation
germ line mutation
point mutation
silent mutation
mis-sense mutation
nonsense mutation
physical mutagen
chemical mutagen
carcinogen
mtDNA
genetic engineering
recombinant DNA
restriction enzymes
electrophoresis
DNA fingerprint
DNA ligase
plasmid
sticky ends
biotechnology
transgenic
bioremediation
clone
codon
gene expression
genetic markers
DNA probe
ultrasound
DNA vector
somatic gene therapy
germ-line therapy
4. Technologies: Be familiar with these technologies and be able to list advantages and disadvantages to society for each:
Genetic engineering Recombinant DNA Restriction Enzymes
Gel electrophoresis DNA fingerprinting Plasmid vectors
DNA ligase Transgenic organisms
Bioremediation Cloning Amniocentesis
Ultrasound Chorionic villus sampling
Genetic markers Gene therapy DNA vector
5. Perform the following lab activities: Protein Synthesis, and Biotechnology: DNA Fingerprinting. Specific instructions are found in the links below. Please note that the lab, Protein Synthesis, is to be marked by a teacher when you ask for test permission. .
Molecular Genetics Labs: Molecular Genetics Labs
These are both paper labs and so now data needs to be provided for you.
6. Attend the optional seminars for this topic. The schedule can be found on the white board in the science resource centre. The seminar schedule is also posted on D2L. The seminar handouts are available in the science resource centre and on D2L.
Seminar Presentations: Molecular Genetics Seminar Presentations
5. If you can’t make the seminar you have another review option. Each topic on D2L has video seminar clips that you can review on your own time. As well, check out the Khan Academy videos and Crash Course videos related to this topic. Links to these are found on D2L. Please note that these videos are not made specifically for Bio 30 in Alberta so in some cases there is more or less information than you need for this course, but they are very helpful for understanding the topic.
Video Links: Molecular Genetics Video Links
6. Complete the self-test that follows in this learning guide. Self-Test: Molecular Genetics Self-test
Evaluation: After completing all of the above exercises, have your lab write-ups approved by a biology teacher and get test permission. Go to the testing centre to write the exam for Molecular Genetics.