A-Level Biology Specification

Edexcel B 9BI0

Section 1.4: DNA and protein synthesis

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#1.4i

Know the structure of DNA, including the structure of the nucleotides (purines and pyrimidines), base pairing, the two sugar-phosphate backbones, phosphodiester bonds and hydrogen bonds.

#1.4ii

Understand how DNA is replicated semi-conservatively, including the role of DNA helicase, polymerase and ligase.

#1.4iii

Know that a gene is a sequence of bases on a DNA molecule coding for a sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

#1.4iv

Know the structure of mRNA including nucleotides, the sugar phosphate backbone and the role of hydrogen bonds.

#1.4v

Know the structure of tRNA, including nucleotides, the role of hydrogen bonds and the anticodon.

#1.4vi

Understand the processes of transcription in the nucleus and translation at the ribosome, including the role of sense and anti-sense DNA, mRNA, tRNA and the ribosomes.

#1.4vii

Understand the nature of the genetic code, including triplets coding for amino acids, start and stop codons, degenerate and non-overlapping nature, and that not all the genome codes for proteins.

#1.4viii

Understand the term gene mutation as illustrated by base deletions, insertions and substitutions.

#1.4ix

Understand the effect of point mutations on amino acid sequences, as illustrated by sickle cell anaemia in humans.