Daily TAKS Connection:DNA

BIO(6): The student knows that the structures and functions of nucleic acids in the mechanisms of genetics. The student is expected to:

(A) Describe components of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and illustrate how information for specifying the traits of an organism is carried in the DNA.

Day 1

Construct a folded book foldable titled “DNA”

Materials: Foldable handout (2

pages) Scissors Pen Colored

pencils/crayons

Instructions: Hamburger fold the

foldable handouts Cut 2 cm slits from the

edges of the fold of the handout that has page 2 (as marked)

Cut along the fold line of the other sheet of paper beginning and ending about 2 cm from each end (as marked).

Burrito fold and insert paper from step 2 into the hole and open, forming a book.

Day 2 notes: “What is DNA?”

Record the following notes on page 1 of your foldable:

DeoxyriboNucleic Acid Function: blueprint for life;

determines traits of an organism

Composition: Double-stranded

Strands are made of nucleotides – a single unit of DNA.

Contain a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogen base.

Arranged in a double helix

Location in every cell: nucleus

Question

In all plant and animal cells, the nucleus contains long molecules of DNA. Which of the following best describes the function of DNA?

a. DNA provides the shape and structure of the nucleus.

b. DNA packages materials for transport through the nucleus.

c. DNA carries materials into and out of the nucleus.

d. DNA contains the blueprint for producing the whole organism.

Question

All of the following are found in a DNA molecule except —

a. carbon dioxide

b. deoxyribose

c. nitrogen

d. phosphate

Question

Which molecule is most responsible for determining an organism’s eye color, body structure, and cellular enzyme production?

a. Complex starch

b. Fatty acid

c. Carbohydrate

d. Deoxyribonucleic acid

Question

Proteins are produced according to a special code found in the control center of the cell. Which of these molecules carries this code?

a. DNA

b. ADP

c. Phosphate

d. Lipid

Day 3 Notes: “DNA Base Pairing”

Record the following notes on page 2 of your foldable:

Four nitrogenous bases Adenine Thymine Cytosine Guanine

Base pairing adenine complements

(pairs with) thymine cytosine complements

guanine Sequence of bases

(nucleotides) determines traits

Day 3 “Base Pairing Practice”

On page 3 of your foldable, determine the complement strand of DNA for each strand

shown below:  

ATACGCCCTTGAG_________________

  GCCCTATATTGCG_________________

  GTGTCCCAGGGG

_________________  

Question

In DNA, which of the following determines the traits of an organism?

a. Amount of guanine

b. Number of sugars

c. Sequence of nucleotides

d. Strength of hydrogen bonds

Question

Erwin Chargaff studied the DNA of organisms within a single species. Chargaff discovered that the amount of adenine is about equal to the amount of thymine. Which of these explains why the ratio of adenine to thymine is nearly 1:1?

a. Adenine and thymine pair with each other.

b. Adenine binds with phosphates, while thymine binds with nitrates.

c. Adenine and thymine are identical in chemical composition.

d. Adenine bases contain a form of thymine.

Question

“Cytosine—guanine—thymine—guanine” describes —

a. nucleotides within an RNA strand

b. a sequence of bases within a DNA section

c. points of DNA separation during protein synthesis

d. tRNA codons for specific amino acids

Day 4 Notes: “Replication”

Record the following notes on page 4 of your foldable:

ReplicationAn exact copy

of the DNA is made

Takes place in the nucleus

1. DNA unwinds and the two strands separate.

2. DNA polymerase (an enzyme) adds the complementary base pairs to each side.

3. Result: two identical molecules of DNA, each with one new and one old strand of DNA

Day 4 Notes “Steps of Replication” (record on page 5)

Question

DNA molecules separate into single strands, which are then used to construct two identical strands of DNA. This process ensures that the —

a. cytoplasm is in equilibrium

b. mitochondria are genetically identical to the chloroplasts

c. parent cells use little ATP

d. daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cells

Day 5 Notes: “Transformation”

Record the following notes on page 6 of your foldable:

Transformation DNA from one

cell is introduced and expressed in a second cell

The second cell takes on the traits of the 1st cell’s DNA

Question

Which of the following best describes the question this set of procedures was designed to answer?

a. Can a substance from dead bacteria transform living bacteria?

b. Can R bacterial cells survive heating?

c. Can dead bacterial cells confer immunity to a living host?

d. Can bacterial cells be isolated from a healthy host?

Question

Coat color in mice varies greatly, ranging from black to grizzly gray, black-and-white, spotted, or white. The nucleus from a body cell of a grizzly-gray mouse is fused with an egg from a black mouse from which the nucleus has been removed. The egg begins to divide and is then transplanted into a female white mouse. What will be the most likely coat color of the offspring?

a. Black

b. Black with white spots

c. Grizzly gray

d. White