From Gene to Protein

Chapter 16

1. Protein synthesis occurs in two stages: transcription and translation. State the purpose of each.

2. Why must the genetic code be written in triplets of nucleotides?

3. Describe the relationship between a DNA triplet, a codon, and an anticodon.

4. What is the evolutionary significance of the genetic code?

5. Briefly outline the process of transcription. Compare it to and contrast it with DNA replication.

6. Why are promoters and transcription factors important to transcription?

7. Why are the ends of an mRNA altered?

8. How can alternative splicing generate a greater number of polypeptide products than there are genes?

9. How are introns important to evolution?

10. How is the elongation of the new polypeptide accomplished?

11. State the purpose of translation. Briefly describe the process, including initiation, elongation and termination.

12. What is the reading frame and how is it established?

13. How do proteins get targeted to specific locations in the cell or for export?

14. Describe the different point mutations.