Download Unit 6 Learning Targets

AP Biology Unit 6A Syllabus
DNA Structure & Function
Chapters 5.5; 16.1-16.2, 27.2, 19.1-19.2
Date
Monday
January 9
Class Discussion
Topic/Activity
Review DNA, Genes, Traits
DNA vs. RNA structure
Tuesday
January 10
DNA replication notes
Learning Targets
Chapter 5: The Structure & Function of Large Biological Molecules
(section 5.5 only)
1. I can explain how nucleic acids have ends, defined by 3’ and 5’
carbons of the sugar in the nucleotide, that determine the direction
in which complementary nucleotides are added during DNA
synthesis and the direction in which transcription occurs (5’ to 3’).
2. I can explain how DNA and RNA molecules have structural
similarities and differences that define function.
a.
Both have three components – sugar, phosphate, and a
nitrogenous base – which form nucleotide units that are
connected by covalent bonds to form a linear molecule
with 3’ and 5’ ends, with the nitrogenous bases
perpendicular to the sugar-phosphate backbone.
b. The basic structural differences include:
i. DNA contains deoxyribose (RNA contains
ribose).
ii. RNA contains uracil in lieu of thymine in DNA.
iii. DNA is usually double stranded, RNA is usually
single stranded.
iv. The two DNA strands in double-stranded DNA
are antiparallel in directionality.
c.
Both DNA and RNA exhibit specific nucleotide base
pairing that is conserved through evolution: adenine
pairs with thymine or uracil (A-T or A-U) and cytosine
pairs with guanine (C-G).
i. Purines (G and A) have a double ring
structure.
ii. Pyrimidines (C, T, and U) have a single ring
structure.
3. I can explain how DNA and RNA are the carriers of genetic
information through transcription, translation and replication.
I can explain that major features of the genetic code are shared by all
modern living systems.
Chapter 16: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (sections 16.1-16.2 only)
1. I can explain how genetic information is transmitted from one
generation to the next through DNA and RNA.
a.
Genetic information is stored in and passed to
subsequent generations through DNA molecules and, in
some cases, RNA molecules.
b. Non-eukaryotic organisms have circular chromosomes,
while eukaryotic organisms have multiple linear
chromosomes, although in biology there are exceptions
to this rule.
c.
Prokaryotes, viruses, and eukaryotes can contain
plasmids, which are small extra-chromosomal, doublestranded circular DNA molecules.
d. The proof that DNA is the carrier of genetic information
involved a number of important historical experiments.
These include:
i. Contributions of Watson, Crick, Wilkins and
Franklin on the structure of DNA
ii. Avery-MacLeod-McCarty experiments
iii. Hershey-Chase experiment
e. DNA replication ensures continuity of hereditary
information.
i. Replication is a semiconservative process; that
is, one strand serves as the template for a
new, complimentary strand.
ii. Replication requires DNA polymerase plus
many other essential cellular enzymes, occurs
bi-directionally, and differs in the production
of the leading and lagging strands.
2. I can explain how the imperfect nature of DNA replication and repair
increases variation.
3. I can explain how errors in DNA replication or DNA repair
Assignment



Learn Genetics Utah Activity
Modeling DNA and RNA Activity
Videos:
Crash course – DNA Structure
and Replication
o
Bozeman DNA and RNA Part 2
(focus on first part DNA
Replication)
o
Bozeman DNA Replication
o

DNA Replication Modeling
Activity
mechanisms, and external factors, including radiation and reactive
chemicals, can cause random changes, e.g. , mutations in the DNA.
a.
Whether or not a mutation is detrimental, beneficial, or
neutral depends on the environmental context.
Mutations are the primary source of genetic variation.
Wednesday
January 11
(SNHS trip)
Thursday
January 12
Prokaryotic Replication
Prokaryotic Variation
Friday
January 13
Monday
MLKJR DAY
January 16
Tuesday
January 17
Wednesday
January 18

Discovery of DNA
Virus Replication
Chapter 27: Bacteria and Archaea (section 27.2 only)
1. I can explain how the horizontal acquisitions of genetic
information primarily in prokaryotes via transformation
(uptake of naked DNA), transduction (viral transmission of
genetic information), conjugation (cell-to-cell transfer), and
transposition (movement of DNA segments within and
between DNA molecule) increase variation.
Chapter 19 – Viruses (19.1-19.2 only)
1. I can explain how viral replication differs from other reproductive
strategies and generates genetic variation via various mechanisms.
a.
Viruses have highly efficient replicative capabilities that
allow for rapid evolution and acquisition of new
phenotypes.
b. Viruses replicate via a component assembly model
allowing one virus to produce many progeny
simultaneously via the lytic cycle.
c.
Virus replication allows for mutations to occur through
usual host pathways.
d. RNA viruses lack replication error-checking mechanisms,
and thus have higher rates of mutation.
e. Related viruses can combine/recombine information if
they infect the same host cell.
f.
HIV is a well-studied system where the rapid evolution of
a virus within a host contributes to the pathogenicity of
viral infection.
2. I can explain how the reproductive cycles of viruses facilitate
transfer of genetic information.
a.
Viruses transmit DNA or RNA when they infect a host cell,
such as:
i. Transduction in bacteria
ii. Transposons present in incoming DNA
b. Some viruses are able to integrate into the host DNA and
establish a latent (lysogenic) infection. These latent viral
genomes can result in new properties for the host such
as increased pathogenicity in bacteria.
3. I can explain how genetic information in retroviruses is a special case
and has an alternate flow of information: from RNA to DNA, made
possible by reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that copies the viral
RNA genome into DNA. This DNA integrates into the host genome
and becomes transcribed and translated for the assembly of new
progeny.

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Mastering biology chapter 16 by
11:59pm
History of DNA timeline activity
Circular double stranded DNA
Molecule & plasmids
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Quiz ch 5.5 and 16
Virus Life Cycle Poster
No School
Review Modeling Day
Constructing Viruses, Bacteria,
Eukaryotic Model
QUEST Unit 6A
DNA structure & function