1. What is the function of DNA? instructions for life
2. DNA is an example of a polymer of which macromolecule? Nucleic acid
3. What is the monomer of DNA? nucleotide
4. Humans have eukaryotic/prokaryotic cells. eukaryotic
5. Draw a simple diagram of a human cell, showing the cell membrane and the DNA.
6. What are the other three macromolecules in cells?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
7. Gatorade has salts in it (electrolytes). Remember, salt does not move across phospholipid bilayers. Draw
a diagram showing a cheek cell in Gatorade where Gatorade has a higher concentration of salt than the
inside of your cheek cell. Then, in a second diagram, show what happens to the cell. What is the
name for the process you drew?
8. Draw and label a sketch of the cell membrane.
9. Phospholipids are one polymer of lipids. Name another lipid polymer and give an example of a food that
contains it. Triglyceride; oil
10. Why would you use dishwashing detergent to clean a plate that had greasy food on it?
Detergents break up lipids. Greasy food has a lot of lipids, so the detergent will break up the grease and
remove it from your dishes.
11. What are enzymes? What are they made of? Catalysts made of protein
12. How do enzymes speed up chemical reactions? Draw a graph to explain your answer.
13.
How do pH and temperature affect enzymes? Both change the shape of enzymes, which causes
them to change how quickly and efficiently they can work.
14. What is the monomer of proteins? Amino acid
15. Where in your body do you think you make protein-cutting (digesting) enzymes? Why?
Your stomach makes protein-cutting enzymes to break down the protein in your food.
16. Would these enzymes work in other places in your body? Why or why not?
They would not work in other places because other places in your body have a different pH.
17. If a strand of DNA has 18 Ts, how many As will it have? 18
18. If a strand of DNA has 4 Gs, how many Cs will it have? 4
19. Compare and contrast the sugar-phosphate arrangement in the backbone of the DNA from the plant, the
mammal and the bacterium. Are there any differences? There are no differences.
20.
a. Which bases are present in the DNA of the plant? The mammal? The bacterium? A, T, C, G
b. Are the bases present in all three cases in the same order? No.
21.
a. Describe the pattern of base pair matching for the two strands in the plant's DNA. In other words,
which types of bases are paired together? A-T; C-G
b. DNA from the mammal follows the same base-pairing rule as the DNA from the plant. T or F? T
c. Is base-pairing the same or different in the DNA of the bacterium? same
22. What is the only characteristic that differs between these segments of DNA from a plant, a mammal
and a bacterium? The order (sequence) of the bases is the only difference.
23. Complete the following statement: These observations illustrate the similarity of the basic structure of
DNA in all living organisms. The genetic differences between plants, mammals and bacteria are due
to differences in the sequence (order) of bases in their DNA.
24. Why is DNA replication necessary before each cell division? Each new cell will need a copy of the
DNA.
25. The ending –ase means it is an enzyme. Explain why each part of the name DNA polymerase (DNA,
polymer, -ase) makes sense. This enzyme makes DNA from nucleotides. It combines the
monomers to make a polymer.
26. In the drawing below, the small segment of plant DNA is shown after the two strands of the DNA
molecule have been separated by DNA helicase. Your job is to play the role of DNA polymerase and
create the new matching strands of DNA to make two pieces of double-stranded DNA in the drawing
below—don’t forget to add the sugar-phosphate backbone of each new strand you make! Use the
base-pairing rule to determine which nucleotides to add.
27.
a. Now look at both of the double-stranded pieces of DNA you have created. Are there any
differences between the two strands? Yes or No (circle one) No.
b. Are these new double-stranded pieces of DNA the same as or different than the original piece of
plant DNA? (circle one) Same.
28. Which of the following do you think will contain DNA? Circle your choices and explain your
reasoning.
a.) bananas b.) concrete c.) fossilized insect in amber d.) meat e.) metal f.) spinach g.) apple
All living things (made of cells) have DNA.
29. Describe the function of DNA helicase. DNA helicase separates the two strands of DNA.
30. Describe the two major functions of DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase makes the new DNA
strands and proofreads and corrects its work.
31. What is a mutation? Why do mutations occasionally occur? A mutation is a change made in the
DNA. They occasionally occur because DNA polymerase can make mistakes.
32. Make a Cornell-style study guide or a mind map using the vocabulary words underlined in this lab.
The mind map should have the words “protein synthesis” in the middle.