PencilGo

Grade 9 · Science · Biology

9th grade Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA worksheet

6 printable versionsBuilding Confidence10 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
Print

Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA

Grade 9 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

  1. Bo reads a model of transcription. Enzyme X moves along the DNA and builds the mRNA. What is enzyme X?

    • RNA polymerase, the enzyme that builds mRNA on both DNA strands at once
    • DNA polymerase, the enzyme that builds a new DNA strand
    • A ribosome, the structure that joins amino acids
    • RNA polymerase, the enzyme that builds mRNA on one DNA strand

  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?

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

  3. Read this first

    Use this

    Model strands (not to scale).

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

    • T, thymine
    • U, uracil
    • G, guanine
    • A, adenine

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

    • U, uracil
    • A, adenine
    • G, guanine
    • T, thymine

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

    • A, adenine
    • C, cytosine
    • G, guanine
    • U, uracil

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

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

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

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

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

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

  10. 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.

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

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

  12. 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.

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

    • U, uracil
    • A, adenine
    • C, cytosine
    • T, thymine
PencilGopencilgo.com

9th grade Transcription: from DNA to messenger RNA worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

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

Ready for easier practice?

Print a sheet, scan it when it’s done, and PencilGo picks the next one.

Create a free account