Download level two biology: gene expression

LEVEL TWO BIOLOGY: GENE EXPRESSION
•Protein synthesis
•DNA structure and replication
•Polypeptide chains and amino acids
•Mutations
•Metabolic pathways
Protein Synthesis:
I can define a protein in terms of gene expression.
I can explain the relationship between proteins, polypeptide
chains and amino acids.
I can define DNA in terms of the information it encodes.
I can define RNA by using the terms ‘single-stranded’, ‘copy’ and
‘gene’.
I can explain why RNA is necessary for protein synthesis by
comparing the size and importance of RNA and DNA.
I can show that I understand the processes of transcription and
translation by stating the result of each process and why each
process is necessary for protein synthesis.
I can differentiate between transcription and translation by
explaining which occurs first and why and where each process
occurs in a cell.
I can show that I know the difference between mRNA, tRNA and
rRNA by explaining the role of each type of RNA and where they
are found in a cell.
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I can state where ribosomes are found in a cell and can describe
their important role in translation.
I can explain the similarities and differences between a triplet, a
codon and an anticodon.
I can show that I understand the importance of complementary
base pairing by explaining how the presence of triplets, codons
and anticodons results in the synthesis of the protein coded for by
the original DNA molecule.
I can discuss the importance of protein folding by relating
structure to function.
I can use all of the above understanding to describe the steps of
protein synthesis:
DNA in the nucleus – gene codes for a protein
Transcription of a gene to form mRNA
Removal of introns
mRNA travelling to a ribosome
tRNA bringing in the correct amino acids to the ribosome
The formation of a polypeptide chain
Protein folding to form the resultant protein
DNA Structure and Replication:
I can describe the structure of DNA molecules by explaining the
components of its nucleotide monomers: sugar, phosphate and
nitrogenous base.
I can state the names of all the nucleotides: A, T, C, G and U.
I can state which bases pair-up in complementary base pairing.
I can state which four bases are present in DNA and which four
bases are present in RNA.
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I can discuss the steps of DNA replication by including in my
discussion:
Unwinding the DNA
Complementary base pairing
Semi-conservative replication
Parent and daughter strands
Leading and lagging strands
The direction of replication: 5’ to 3’
Okazaki fragments
I can show that I understand how DNA replicates by explaining
how the replication of DNA from 5’ to 3’ results in the leading
strand and the lagging strand.
I can explain what an Okazaki fragment is, why they form and
how they are resolved.
I can explain why DNA replication is necessary for mitosis by
discussing the steps that follow DNA replication.
I can discuss the advantages of DNA copying itself by
semi-conservative replication.
I can discuss the effect of enzymes, catalysts and other external
factors on DNA replication.
Polypeptide Chains and Amino Acids:
I can state where START codons and STOP codons are found and
explain their importance.
Given a sequence of bases and a given amino acid table, I can
determine the order of amino acids to form the corresponding
polypeptide chain.
I can explain the term ‘redundancy due to degeneracy within the
code’.
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I can show that I understand the significance of redundancy due
to degeneracy within the code by discussing why it is important in
relation to protein synthesis.
I can discuss why redundancy is only significant in some situations
by referencing a given table of amino acids and their
corresponding codons.
Mutations:
I can show that I understand what a mutation is by giving a
concise definition in terms of the order of bases in a DNA
molecule.
I can define the terms ‘nonsense mutation’ and ‘missense
mutation’.
I can describe the difference between a point mutation and a
chromosomal mutation.
I can show that I understand the following types of mutations by
defining each and writing out an example of each (in a sequence
of bases):
Substitution
Deletion
Insertion
Duplication
Inverse
Frameshift
I can explain the impact that the above types of mutations have
on the genetic code and can discuss which ones are worse for the
organism and why.
I can explain the differences between silent, advantageous and
disadvantageous mutations and can discuss the impact of these
on an organism.
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I can describe the different ways in which mutations arise (e.g.
random mutations due to errors in DNA replication, or mutations
caused by mutagens).
I can define the term “mutagen” and can name some examples.
I can explain the difference between phenotype and genotype.
I can show that I understand the difference between a mutagen
and an environmental factor by comparing:
The effects of mutagens and mutations on genotypes and phenotypes.
The effects of environmental factors on phenotypes only.
I can show that I understand how a single mutation affects a
phenotype by discussing amino acids, polypeptide chains and
proteins.
Metabolic Pathways:
I can give a concise definition of the term ‘metabolic pathway’.
I can explain the role of enzymes and biochemical reactions in
metabolic pathways.
I can show that I understand how a metabolic pathway works by
explaining how the products of one reaction take part in the next
reaction until the final product (the phenotype) is eventually
made.
I can show that I understand how protein synthesis relates to
enzymes by explaining that enzymes are types of proteins.
I can link protein synthesis, enzymes, mutations and metabolic
pathways by discussing why a mutation in the genetic code could
potentially affect an entire metabolic pathway.
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