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Learning Objectives
Chapter 21: Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
1. What is the role of DNA and RNA in the cell? Describe the structure of DNA
and RNA, noting the differences (you do not need to memorize base structures).
2. Define nucleoside and nucleotide. How do you name a nucleoside? A
nucleotide?
3. Describe the primary structure of nucleic acids, including the phosphodiester
bond, the directionality of a double strand of DNA, and base pairing rules.
4. Describe the process of DNA replication, including how both the leading and
lagging strands are synthesized.
5. What are the three types of RNA, and what are their roles?
6. Explain the processes of transcription, mRNA processing, and translation.
7. Why is transcription of some genes regulated? Using the lac operon as an
example, briefly describe how a gene (or operon) can be regulated.
8. Mutations: what causes them? What are the two different types of mutation?
What effect does each category of mutation have on the final protein product?
9. Discuss how recombinant DNA is prepared, including terms such as plasmid,
restriction enzyme, and sticky end. How is recombinant DNA used in the biotech
industry?
10. When would a scientist use the polymerase chain reaction? Describe what
happens in each of the three steps.
11. How do viruses reproduce? Briefly explain the steps of a viral infection, from
insertion to lysis.
12. What is reverse transcriptase, and in which situation is it used?
13. Discuss some HIV/AIDS drugs and how they work.