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VICBiologyQuick questions
Unit 3: How do cells maintain life?
Quick questions on Gene expression in eukaryotes (transcription, RNA processing, translation): VCE Biology Unit 3
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is rNA processing (nucleus)?Show answer
Pre-mRNA undergoes three modifications before it can leave the nucleus.
What is initiation?Show answer
Transcription factors and RNA polymerase II assemble at the promoter region of the gene (a TATA box sits upstream of the start site). The DNA double helix unwinds, exposing the template strand.
What is elongation?Show answer
RNA polymerase moves along the template 3' to 5', adding complementary RNA nucleotides to the growing pre-mRNA in the 5' to 3' direction. Pairing follows A with U, T with A, G with C. The newly built pre-mRNA carries the same sequence as the non-template (coding) strand, with U in place of T.
What is termination?Show answer
RNA polymerase reaches a terminator sequence, releases the pre-mRNA, and the DNA re-zips.
What is q1?Show answer
Outline the three steps of RNA processing in eukaryotes and state the role of each. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A DNA template strand reads 3'-TACGGCATT-5'. (a) Write the mRNA produced. (b) Using a codon table, translate the mRNA into amino acids.
What is q3?Show answer
Refer to translation. (a) State the function of mRNA, tRNA and the ribosome. (b) Explain how a single base substitution can change a polypeptide.
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