1. YouTube - "The Gene Scene"

2. The Structure of RNA There are three main differences between RNA and DNA. 1. The sugar in RNA is ribose instead of deoxyribose 2. RNA is generally single-stranded 3. RNA contains uracil in place of thymine. What is the difference between RNA and DNA?

3. DNA Transcription & Translation Bio 6B: Explain replication, transcription, and translation using models of DNA and ribonucleic acid RNA Transcription Translation DNA mRNA Protein occurs in nucleus occurs on ribosome Transcription and Translation in the cell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983lhh20rGY

4. 3 Types of RNA There are three main types of RNA: messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA.

5. DNA Transcription The word transcribe means “to copy”. During transcription, the genetic information code is copied into a single strand of mRNA. mRNA is known as “messenger” RNA because it carries the DNA code or message out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm. DNA cannot travel out of the nucleus but RNA can. RNA contains the base Uracil instead of Thymine.

6. Transcription Activity: Transcribe the DNA strand on your handout into a strand of mRNA. REMEMBER: Uracil is in a RNA strand instead of Thymine. Example: DNA: TACACGATT mRNA: AUGUGCUAA

7. Translation In order for translation to begin, mRNA must first attach itself to a ribosome which is found in the cytoplasm of a cell. The information in mRNA is organized into three- letter blocks called codons. Codons are like words of the RNA message.

8. Codon Activity Organize your mRNA into three letter blocks called codons. Example: mRNA: AUGUGCUAAG AUG UGC UAC Three letter blocks = codons

9. Codons Each codon codes for a specific amino acid in the protein chain. tRNA (transfer) matches a particular codon to a particular amino acid. Amino acids are joined together in the correct sequence to form a protein chain.

10. How do I read a Codon chart? “First letter” represents the first letter of a codon. Example: AUG “Second letter” represents the second letter of a codon. Example: AUG “Third letter” represents the third letter of a codon. Example: AUG The amino acid coded for the codon AUG is methionine. It’s your turn to practice using the codon chart! Identify the amino acids represented by the codons on your handout.

11. Codon chart activity Use your codon chart to identify the amino acids coded in your mRNA strand.

12. LET’S WRAP IT ALL UP! (click below to play clip)