1. RNA
Lesson 12

2. Success criteria State the definition of a gene
State the structure of RNA
Outline the roles of DNA and RNA in the cells of living organisms

3. Starter
The 5 Ws

4. Starter Answers Who What When Where Why
James Watson, Francis Crick & Rosalind Franklin
What
W&C used F’s X rays of DNA
Double Helix structure of DNA & it’s replication
When
April 25th 1953 (published article in Nature)
Where
University of Cambridge
Why
Explained how genetic information was passed on

5. Think, Pair, Share
Definition of a gene

6. Key Definition: Gene
A sequence of DNA nucleotides that codes for a polypeptide

7. Task Look back at last lesson’s notes and draw one part of RNA
Pass it on
Add the next part of the RNA molecule
Repeat

8. RNA

9. Task: Video Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itsb2SqR- R0
Watch video and answer the questions

10. Protein Synthesis Consists of two stages:
Transcription: making mRNA from DNA in the nucleus
Translation:using the mRNA template to make a polypeptide chain in the cytoplasm
tRNA and ribosomes are also needed
The polypeptide chain can then be sent to the golgi for modification

12. Transcription The DNA is unwound at the required gene
The hydrogen bonds between the strands are broken
Activated free nucleotides complimentary base pair to the DNA (on the SENSE strand only)
RNA polymerase joins up the sugar phosphate backbone
The completed RNA is released and the DNA rewinds
The RNA diffuses out of the nucleus through the nuclear pores

13. Translation
Translation is the synthesis of the polypeptide chain from the mRNA template
It occurs in the cytoplasm
It also requires:
Ribosomes
tRNA

14. Task
In pairs create summary of role of DNA and RNA in protein production and where in the cell this occurs
E.g. You could use one white board for the nucleus and one for the cytoplasm

15. Success criteria State the definition of a gene
State the structure of RNA
Outline the roles of DNA and RNA in the cells of living organisms

16. Plenary
Past paper questions
June 2010 Q4a
Jan a