Grade 9 · Science · Biology

9th grade Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA worksheet

6 printable versionsOn Level10 questions · answer keyFree · no account

Level: Building Confidence · On Level · Challenge Me

When it’s done, scan the sheet with your phone and PencilGo marks it and picks the next one. Create a free account

Version

Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA

Grade 9 Science Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

Read this first
Use this
Model template (not to scale). The mRNA is built base by base under the template; its nine bases are the answer.
1.
Ari writes the mRNA that RNA polymerase builds from this template. Which mRNA is correct?
- UCAAGCGUA
- ATGCGAACT
- AUGCGAACU
- UACGCUUGA
2.
Model strands (not to scale). The blanks are bases 2, 4 and 6 of the mRNA. Bo fills three blanks in the mRNA built from this template. Which letters go in the blanks, in order?
- A, U, C
- U, A, G
- G, A, U
- T, A, G
3.
Model gene (not to scale). RNA polymerase builds mRNA from the template strand of Esme’s model gene. Which mRNA is built?
- AUGAACCUA
- UACUUGGAU
- TACTTGGAT
- ATGAACCTA
4.
A gene’s coding strand is shown. Jun writes the mRNA built from its template strand. Which mRNA is correct?
- CAUUCGGUA
- ATGGCTTAC
- AUGGCUUAC
- UACCGAAUG
5.
Luz compares the three strands of a model gene. Which statement about the mRNA is true?
- It matches the coding strand, with U for T
- It pairs with the coding strand, base for base
- It has the same letters as the template strand
- It is built on both DNA strands at the same time
6.
Milo finds this mRNA. Which DNA strand, written 3′ to 5′, was its template?
- 3′ TGCCAT 5′
- 3′ UACCGU 5′
- 3′ ATGGCA 5′
- 3′ TACCGT 5′
7.
Model template (not to scale). Pia reads a template strand. Which DNA strand has the same sequence as its mRNA, with T where the mRNA has U?
- 5′ AUGCCU 3′
- 5′ TCCGTA 3′
- 5′ TACGGA 3′
- 5′ ATGCCT 3′

Transcription steps, not in order (model data)

step	what happens
W	RNA polymerase builds the mRNA by pairing bases with the template
X	RNA polymerase binds at the promoter
Y	At a termination signal the polymerase leaves the DNA and frees the mRNA
Z	The DNA partly unwinds

8.
Ren puts four steps of transcription in order. Which order is right?
- W, X, Z, Y
- X, Z, W, Y
- X, W, Z, Y
- Z, X, W, Y
Use this
Route of the mRNA in a plant cell, not in order (model data), 4 rows. Columns: step, what happens. W, The finished mRNA leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore. X, RNA polymerase builds the pre-mRNA in the nucleus. Y, The pre-mRNA gets a cap and a tail, and its introns are cut out. Z, A ribosome in the cytoplasm reads the mRNA.
9.
Tala puts four steps in order for the mRNA of a plant cell. Which order is right?
- X, Y, W, Z
- W, X, Y, Z
- Y, X, W, Z
- X, W, Y, Z
Forms of a gene’s information in a plant cell, not in order (model data)
step what happens
W The mature mRNA in the cytoplasm
X The pre-mRNA in the nucleus
Y The gene in the DNA in the nucleus
Z A protein built at a ribosome
10.
Zee lists four forms of a gene’s information. Which order shows how the information is used?
- Y, X, Z, W
- X, Y, W, Z
- Y, W, X, Z
- Y, X, W, Z

step	what happens
W	The mature mRNA in the cytoplasm
X	The pre-mRNA in the nucleus
Y	The gene in the DNA in the nucleus
Z	A protein built at a ribosome

9th grade Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can say the flow of information is DNA to RNA to protein, and that this pack covers the first arrow.
I can say how RNA differs from DNA: its sugar is ribose, it has U where DNA has T, and it is usually one strand.
I can say RNA polymerase reads one DNA strand (the template strand) and builds the mRNA by pairing bases: T with A, A with U, C with G, G with C.
I can write the mRNA under a template strand, and tell that the mRNA matches the coding strand with U in place of T.
I can work backward from an mRNA to its template, and from a template to its coding strand.
I can order the steps: the polymerase binds at the promoter, the DNA opens, the mRNA is built, and a termination signal ends the job.

Standard: HS-LS1-1

Words to know

transcription: Copying a gene from DNA into a strand of mRNA

mRNA: Messenger RNA, the strand that carries a gene's message out of the nucleus

RNA polymerase: The enzyme that moves along DNA and builds the mRNA

template strand: The DNA strand that RNA polymerase reads for a gene

coding strand: The other DNA strand; the mRNA matches it, with U where it has T

uracil (U): The RNA base that takes the place of T

ribose: The sugar in RNA

promoter: A DNA sequence where the polymerase binds to start transcription

Common mistakes

Your child put T in an RNA strand. RNA has U where DNA has T, so its bases are A, U, G and C. Ask your child which base RNA has that DNA does not.

Your child copied the template letters into the mRNA. RNA polymerase pairs each template base with a partner base, so the letters change. Ask your child what pairs with A, T, C and G.

Your child paired the mRNA with the coding strand. The mRNA pairs with the template strand and matches the coding strand, with U in place of T. Ask your child which DNA strand RNA polymerase reads.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with transcription: from dna to messenger rna?

Your child put T in an RNA strand. RNA has U where DNA has T, so its bases are A, U, G and C. Ask your child which base RNA has that DNA does not.

Are these 9th grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More biology

See all Biology

Every sheet you scan goes into your child’s record: dated, marked and ready for the year-end portfolio. Homeschool records