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 describe the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein and name the two steps. (Guide: “From a gene to a working molecule”)
- I can state the job of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA, and explain how sequence and folded shape suit each one to its job. (Guide: “Three kinds of RNA, three jobs”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain what an anticodon is and how it links a tRNA’s amino acid to an mRNA codon. (Guide: “Three kinds of RNA, three jobs”)
- I can distinguish the template strand from the coding strand and say which one the mRNA resembles. (Guide: “Transcription: copying one strand”; Practice Q4)
- I can describe the three processing steps in eukaryotes and say what the cap, the poly-A tail and splicing each do. (Guide: “RNA processing in eukaryotes”; Practice Q3, Q5)
Skills
- I can write an mRNA from a template strand given in either direction, with correct 5′ and 3′ labels and U instead of T. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2)
- I can use a diagram of transcription to identify the template strand, the ends of the RNA and the direction the enzyme moves. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q4)
- I can calculate the length of a mature mRNA from exon lengths, and count the splice variants a gene can produce. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6)
- I can read mRNA stability data, calculate percentage loss and estimate a half-life. (Practice Q5, Q7)
Reasoning
- I can explain how alternative splicing lets one gene produce different proteins in different cells. (Guide: “Alternative splicing”; Practice Q6)
- I can use data to decide whether a processing change affects mRNA stability or ribosome recognition. (Practice Q3, Q5)
- I can compare transcription with DNA replication and predict the effects of blocking RNA polymerase. (Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 6.4, Translation, or return to the course roadmap.