Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can state that DNA carries hereditary information in all cells and that some viruses use RNA instead. (Guide: “The molecule that is passed on”; Worked example 3)
- I can compare a typical prokaryotic chromosome with typical eukaryotic chromosomes: shape, number and location. (Guide: “Organising the DNA”, Figure 1; Practice Q2)
- I can explain how histones condense eukaryotic DNA and why DNA binds to them. (Guide: “Organising the DNA”; Practice Q6)
- I can describe plasmids, say where they are found, and explain how plasmid genes can spread between cells. (Guide: “Plasmids”; Practice Q5)
- I can name the purines and pyrimidines and state their ring structures. (Guide: “Purines and pyrimidines”; Practice Q1)
Calculation and skills
- I can use the pairing rules to find the number or percentage of purines in a double-stranded molecule. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q3, Q7)
- I can calculate DNA length from a number of base pairs, and compare it with the size of a cell or nucleus. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6)
- I can calculate percentages from experimental counts and compare treatments with a control. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q5)
Reasoning
- I can explain why a purine must pair with a pyrimidine, using the width of the double helix. (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q4)
- I can use base composition data to decide whether a genome is DNA or RNA, and single- or double-stranded. (Guide: Worked example 1)
- I can explain why shared pairing rules across all life are evidence of common ancestry. (Guide: “Purines and pyrimidines”; Worked example 1)
- I can make a claim about which molecule is hereditary material and support it with evidence and reasoning from an experiment. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q5)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 6.2, DNA Replication, or return to the course roadmap.