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SOS DNA QUESTION
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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deleted-920606
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
SOS DNA QUESTION
Hey! Im taking a biology class and need help answering this question: what about replication and translation suggests the existence of RNA? THANKS!
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carolynml
- Former Expert
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2020 12:46 pm
- Occupation: Student
Re: SOS DNA QUESTION
Hi cindysummerville3,
This is an interesting question that is somewhat open to interpretation. However, I suspect your teacher was trying to get you to think about the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the overall pattern of information flow in the cell: DNA to RNA to protein. RNA is important because it acts like a “messenger.” It helps convert genetic information encoded in DNA into protein.
One key aspect of replication is complementarity. DNA is double-stranded, with each base being matched up with a specific partner on the opposite strand. Therefore, when DNA is being replicated, the two strands are separated, with each strand serving as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. In other words, any strand of genetic information contains the necessary information to synthesize a complementary strand. This idea of complementarity is also important for the synthesis of RNA. When a gene is transcribed into RNA, that gene serves as a template for the RNA to be synthesized. The result is a single-stranded RNA molecule which is complementary to the gene being expressed.
In eukaryotic cells, the RNA is then processed by the cell to have a “cap” on one end (5’ end) and a Poly-A “tail” on the other end (3’ end). This extra processing is crucial because the 5’ cap is important for recruiting ribosomes to the RNA for translation into protein. So, a key point is that certain structural features of the RNA (such as the 5’ cap) are required for ribosome binding, and therefore necessary for translation. Once the mRNA is processed, it is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, where translation machinery (including ribosomes) can bind the RNA transcript and initiate translation. This RNA is then translated into a protein.
Also, in eukaryotic cells with membrane-bound organelles, DNA is housed in the nucleus, which is where replication and transcription occur. However, translation takes place in the cytoplasm. So, by synthesizing RNA which can be exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the cell can convert information stored in DNA into proteins which have functional consequences for the cell.
Hopefully this helps. Good luck completing your assignment, and please reach out if you have any more questions!
This is an interesting question that is somewhat open to interpretation. However, I suspect your teacher was trying to get you to think about the central dogma of molecular biology, which describes the overall pattern of information flow in the cell: DNA to RNA to protein. RNA is important because it acts like a “messenger.” It helps convert genetic information encoded in DNA into protein.
One key aspect of replication is complementarity. DNA is double-stranded, with each base being matched up with a specific partner on the opposite strand. Therefore, when DNA is being replicated, the two strands are separated, with each strand serving as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. In other words, any strand of genetic information contains the necessary information to synthesize a complementary strand. This idea of complementarity is also important for the synthesis of RNA. When a gene is transcribed into RNA, that gene serves as a template for the RNA to be synthesized. The result is a single-stranded RNA molecule which is complementary to the gene being expressed.
In eukaryotic cells, the RNA is then processed by the cell to have a “cap” on one end (5’ end) and a Poly-A “tail” on the other end (3’ end). This extra processing is crucial because the 5’ cap is important for recruiting ribosomes to the RNA for translation into protein. So, a key point is that certain structural features of the RNA (such as the 5’ cap) are required for ribosome binding, and therefore necessary for translation. Once the mRNA is processed, it is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, where translation machinery (including ribosomes) can bind the RNA transcript and initiate translation. This RNA is then translated into a protein.
Also, in eukaryotic cells with membrane-bound organelles, DNA is housed in the nucleus, which is where replication and transcription occur. However, translation takes place in the cytoplasm. So, by synthesizing RNA which can be exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the cell can convert information stored in DNA into proteins which have functional consequences for the cell.
Hopefully this helps. Good luck completing your assignment, and please reach out if you have any more questions!
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deleted-920606
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
Question on dna base pairing, please help!
What are non-canonical base pairings and how is their importance different in RNA and DNA?
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deleted-920606
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:51 pm
- Occupation: Student
SOS! (another DNA base pairing question)
What is the significance of uracil and thymine in DNA and RNA?
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pharrast
- Former Expert
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2019 4:19 pm
- Occupation: Student
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pharrast
- Former Expert
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- Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2019 4:19 pm
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Re: SOS! (another DNA base pairing question)
This is a site for help with science fair projects. If this question is for homework, there are better websites to get help.
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MadelineB
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Re: SOS DNA QUESTION
Hello Cindy,
Science Buddies guidelines request that you keep your related posts in the same thread. As you can see, I've merged your posts so they appear in the same thread.
And, as the previous expert has explained, these forums are for students in grades K-12 who are working on hands-on science experiments. If you need help with your homework, there are other sites on the web where your questions would be more appropriate.
Thank you,
Madeline
Moderator
Science Buddies guidelines request that you keep your related posts in the same thread. As you can see, I've merged your posts so they appear in the same thread.
And, as the previous expert has explained, these forums are for students in grades K-12 who are working on hands-on science experiments. If you need help with your homework, there are other sites on the web where your questions would be more appropriate.
Thank you,
Madeline
Moderator
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EricBebenov24
- Former Student Expert
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:25 am
- Occupation: Student
Re: Mutations
Hi cindysummerville3!
Can you please provide a little bit more information on the science project that your are working on so that I can best assist you? In the Science Buddies Student Expert Forum, we are here to assist students with any questions related to science projects, so if this is the case, I am happy to help!
Can you please provide a little bit more information on the science project that your are working on so that I can best assist you? In the Science Buddies Student Expert Forum, we are here to assist students with any questions related to science projects, so if this is the case, I am happy to help!
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MadelineB
- Moderator
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:42 pm
- Occupation: Biostatistician/Data Scientist
- Project Question: Interested in volunteering as an expert
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: SOS DNA QUESTION
Hello Cindy,
As I indicated in my previous post, the Science Buddies guidelines request that you keep your related posts in the same thread. As you can see, I've merged your posts so they appear in the same thread.
Furthermore, as the previous experts have explained, these forums are for students in grades K-12 who are working on hands-on science experiments. If you need help with your homework, there are other sites on the web where your questions would be more appropriate.
Thank you,
Madeline
Moderator
As I indicated in my previous post, the Science Buddies guidelines request that you keep your related posts in the same thread. As you can see, I've merged your posts so they appear in the same thread.
Furthermore, as the previous experts have explained, these forums are for students in grades K-12 who are working on hands-on science experiments. If you need help with your homework, there are other sites on the web where your questions would be more appropriate.
Thank you,
Madeline
Moderator