Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA

Grade 9 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   Model gene (not to scale). Ari reads a model of one gene being copied into mRNA. DNA strand W is the strand the mRNA pairs with. What is strand W called?

   • The new strand, the strand RNA polymerase builds
   • The promoter, the strand where transcription starts
   • The template strand, the strand RNA polymerase reads
   • The coding strand, the strand with the same letters as the mRNA
2. 2.

   “not to scale” Esme reads a model of a gene in a cell with a nucleus. The mRNA is built inside compartment Z. What is Z?

   • A ribosome, the structure that builds proteins
   • A nuclear pore, the opening in the nuclear envelope
   • The cytoplasm, the compartment where the ribosomes are
   • The nucleus, the compartment that holds the DNA

3. Read this first

   Use this

   Model strands (not to scale).

4. 3.

   Kira fills in the blank in the mRNA built from this template. Which base goes in the blank?

   • T, thymine
   • U, uracil
   • A, adenine
   • G, guanine
5. 4.

   Luz fills in the blank in the mRNA built from this template. Which base goes in the blank?

   • G, guanine
   • C, cytosine
   • U, uracil
   • A, adenine
6. 5.

   Milo compares two mRNAs built from the same template. Which case is correct, and why?

   • Case P, because the mRNA copies the template letters
   • Case Q, because RNA is made from the same letters as DNA
   • Case P, because RNA has U where DNA has T
   • Case Q, because mRNA keeps T the way DNA does
7. 6.

   Model gene (not to scale). Noah compares two cases at one gene. Which case is right, and why?

   • Case P, because RNA polymerase needs no template
   • Case P, because the mRNA is built on the coding strand
   • Case P, because one strand is the template for a gene
   • Case Q, because both strands of a gene are templates
8. 7.

   Pia compares two cases in a cell with a nucleus. Which case is right, and why?

   • Case P, because the DNA stays in the nucleus
   • Case Q, because the ribosomes are in the cytoplasm
   • Case P, because the mRNA stays in the nucleus
   • Case Q, because the DNA moves out to the cytoplasm

9. Use this

   Model strands (not to scale). DNA template strand, 3′ end on the left and 5′ end on the right: T A C G G T A C G. mRNA, 5′ end on the left and 3′ end on the right: A U G C C A U G C.

10. 8.

    Ren counts the bases in the mRNA strand of this model. How many bases does the mRNA have?

    • 3 bases
    • 18 bases
    • 9 bases
    • 8 bases

11. Use this

    Model strands (not to scale). DNA template strand, 3′ end on the left and 5′ end on the right: T A C G G T. mRNA, 5′ end on the left and 3′ end on the right: A U G C C A. The U is base 2 of the mRNA.

12. 9.

    Tala reads a model. Which template base sits across from the U in the mRNA?

    • U, uracil
    • C, cytosine
    • A, adenine
    • T, thymine

13. Use this

    DNA and RNA card (model data), 3 rows. Columns: feature, DNA, RNA. sugar, deoxyribose, ribose. bases, A T C G, A U C G. strands, two, usually one.

14. 10.

    Zee reads a card that compares DNA and RNA. Which base is found in RNA but not in DNA?

    • U, uracil
    • C, cytosine
    • A, adenine
    • T, thymine