1. RNA and Transcription

2. DNA Review What is DNA and what role does it serve in our bodies? What is the shape of DNA? What macromolecule makes up DNA?

3. DNA We’ve mentioned before that DNA contains our genes and genetic material, but we have yet to discuss how DNA uses those genes. Today we are going to begin our discussion into protein synthesis.

4. Today’s Objectives 1.Review DNA and genetic code. 2.Discuss RNA. 3.Discuss the process of transcription

5. Genetic Code The main function of genes in the body is controlling the production of proteins in your cells. Proteins help to determine how traits are expressed in an organism. This can include hair color, body size, height, ear size, etc….

6. Genetic Code What part of the DNA do you think relates to the genetic code? Look at the figure to the right as a hint.

7. Genetic Code The genetic code can be found in the four nitrogen bases. Adenine (A), Thymine (T), guanine (G), and Cytosine (C). Genes are sections of DNA molecules that contain information to code on specific protein. The order in of the nitrogen bases along a gene forms genetic code that specifies what type of protein will be produced.

8. RNA RNA is another macromolecule found in the body. What role do you think RNA serves in the body? Take a few minutes to discuss this at your table. In a few minutes we’ll discuss RNA as a class.

9. RNA RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. Serves as a “messenger” in the cell. RNA carries the genetic code from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. RNA is similar to DNA but is different from DNA in three ways: – RNA is single stranded instead of double stranded like DNA – RNA also contains a different sugar from the sugar found in DNA – RNA contains the nitrogen base called Uracil (U) instead of thymine.

10. Types of RNA There are several types of RNA found in the body: mRNA and tRNA. mRNA stands for messenger RNA copies the coded message from the DNA in the nucleus and carries the message to the cytoplasm. mRNA is created in the nucleus from your cells DNA. How could RNA be created from DNA?

11. Transcription Transcription is the first step of protein synthesis. During transcription, the DNA strand unzips and mRNA will copy it’s strand from the DNA.

13. Transcription Now you guys will serve a role as RNA polymerase. You will be given a worksheet on transcription and on this worksheet you will need to code RNA from strands of DNA and answer a few other questions related to transcription.