Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA

Grade 9 Science Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 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.

2. 1.

   Ari writes the mRNA that RNA polymerase builds from this template. Which mRNA is correct?

   • ATGCGAACT
   • UACGCUUGA
   • UCAAGCGUA
   • AUGCGAACU
3. 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?

   • T, A, G
   • G, A, U
   • U, A, G
   • A, U, C
4. 3.

   Model gene (not to scale). RNA polymerase builds mRNA from the template strand of Esme’s model gene. Which mRNA is built?

   • TACTTGGAT
   • ATGAACCTA
   • UACUUGGAU
   • AUGAACCUA
5. 4.

   A gene’s coding strand is shown. Jun writes the mRNA built from its template strand. Which mRNA is correct?

   • AUGGCUUAC
   • ATGGCTTAC
   • CAUUCGGUA
   • UACCGAAUG
6. 5.

   (not to scale). Kira reads a coding strand and writes the mRNA built from the gene. How many U bases will the mRNA have?

   • 2 U bases
   • 6 U bases
   • 4 U bases
   • 0 U bases
7. 6.

   Milo finds this mRNA. Which DNA strand, written 3′ to 5′, was its template?

   • 3′ TACCGT 5′
   • 3′ UACCGU 5′
   • 3′ TGCCAT 5′
   • 3′ ATGGCA 5′
8. 7.

   built from the gene. Noah finds the mRNA that a polymerase built from this gene. Which strand was the template, and why?

   • Neither strand, because mRNA is built without a template
   • Strand 1, because the mRNA has the same letters as strand 1
   • Both strands, because the polymerase reads the whole double helix
   • Strand 2, because the mRNA bases pair with strand 2

9. 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

10. 8.

    Ren puts four steps of transcription in order. Which order is right?

    • X, W, Z, Y
    • W, X, Z, Y
    • Z, X, W, Y
    • X, Z, W, Y

11. 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.

12. 9.

    Tala puts four steps in order for the mRNA of a plant cell. Which order is right?

    • X, W, Y, Z
    • X, Y, W, Z
    • Y, X, W, Z
    • W, X, Y, Z

13. 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

14. 10.

    Zee lists four forms of a gene’s information. Which order shows how the information is used?

    • Y, W, X, Z
    • Y, X, Z, W
    • Y, X, W, Z
    • X, Y, W, Z