Today we are using technology to watch information about our 2 famous nucleic acids, DNA and RNA and some of
the processes that involve each. Your job is to watch the videos in order. Then, for each one, answer the questions
that accompany each video. It is ok if you are not 100% comfortable with the items, we cover these more in class!
WATCH: DNA and RNA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Elo-zX1k8M
1) Label the two cartoons below. For the following comments, write a “D” inside the speech bubble if for DNA, “R”
inside the speech bubble if for RNA, or “BOTH” if the statement applies to both.
2) Fill in the information about the types of RNA
Type: mRNA
Type: ____________
Type: ____________
Stands for:
Stands for: transfer RNA – transfers
a message
Stands for:
3) Which molecule is larger?
4) Which category of organic compounds would you place both of these molecules?
WATCH: Structure and function of DNA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ5fqCJR0Yg
1) What does DNA stand for?
2) What is the building block (monomer) for DNA?
3) What are the names of the 4 base pairs?
4) Which nitrogenous base binds to the other? (What’s the base pair binding rule?)
5) Draw and label a DNA model using all 4 base pairs.
WATCH: Chromosome number and the cell cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcz1FOWw0Cg
While human body cells have 46 chromosomes, fruit fly body cells each contain 8 chromosomes and fruit fly
gametes contain 4 chromosomes. To demonstrate your understanding of chromosome numbers, please apply your
knowledge to fill out this chart for fruit fly cells. You will need to (1) illustrate the number of chromosomes in each
fruit fly cell and (2) write the number of chromosomes and chromatids in each fruit fly cell on all of the blank lines.
1) What would you say is the “cell cycle”?
2) Why is it INCORRECT to say “cells are always in mitosis during their lives.”?
WATCH: Why we study the cell cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpAa4TWjHQ4
1) Why is it important to study the life cycle of a cell?
2) Name one specific disease that is the outcome of a cell not going through the cell cycle properly.
Watch: Mitosis (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI
We encourage you to be creative with a cartoon illustration of your own for each phase. Label the chromosomes,
spindles, and nucleus (if applicable).
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
1) Name a cell that would undergo mitosis.
2) Name 3 reasons why a cell would need to divide.
3) If only 10% of a cell’s life (typically) is spent in mitosis, what is it doing when it is not dividing?
WATCH: Lego Animation http://video.mit.edu/watch/lego-animation-of-mitosis-with-descriptive-titles-3077/
Watch: Mitosis Crash Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0k-enzoeOM
1) Write down 3 things that are new to you about cell division.
2) Write down 2 things that you didn’t understand.
3) Write down 1 thing that was review.
WATCH: DNA replication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qSrmeiWsuc
1) What does “replication” mean?
2) What types of cells have a nucleus?
3) What stage of the cell cycle does DNA replication take place?
4) When does DNA replicate? Before, during or after mitosis?
5) For each major player listed below, give the basic function:
A) HelicaseB) PrimaseC) DNA polymeraseD) *Ligase6) What do all enzymes end in?
7) What is “the origin” on DNA used for?
8) What is the job of the SBP’s?
9) Our copying enzyme DNA polymerase can only create a new DNA in a 5-3 direction, so that results in one strand
being called the _____________ strand and one strand being called the ___________ strand.
10) Circle the correct answer: At the end of DNA replication the 2 complete molecules are IDENTICAL or DIFFERENT.
11) Using the terms that describe the DNA before (old) and after (new) pair these terms up to illustrate “Semiconservative replication”