Question

DNA does all but which of the following? a. serves as the genetic material passed from parent to offspring b. remains constant despite changes in environmental conditions c. provides the instructions for the synthesis of messenger RNA d. is read by ribosomes during the process of translation

Short answer

d. is read by ribosomes during the process of translation

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Function of DNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is involved in several key processes: it stores genetic information, transmits genetic information from parents to offspring, and instructs cells on how to synthesize proteins through messenger RNA.

Analyzing Each Option

Let's analyze each option given:a. DNA serves as the genetic material passed from parent to offspring.b. DNA remains constant despite changes in environmental conditions.c. DNA provides the instructions for the synthesis of messenger RNA.d. DNA is read by ribosomes during the process of translation.

Identifying the Incorrect Statement

Option a is correct because DNA is indeed passed from parent to offspring. Option b is also correct because DNA remains constant regardless of environmental changes. Option c is correct because DNA provides instructions for the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). However, option d is incorrect because ribosomes read mRNA, not DNA, during translation.

Key concepts

genetic material

DNA is often referred to as the genetic material of a cell. Genetic material means that DNA contains the instructions needed to build and maintain an organism. These instructions are coded within the sequence of four chemical bases in DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The specific sequence of these bases determines the genetic information available for building organisms, much like how letters form words and sentences.

DNA is passed from parents to offspring, ensuring that genetic information is inherited. This inheritance is fundamental to the process of reproduction in all living organisms. Each parent contributes half of the DNA to their offspring, creating a unique combination of genetic material that results in genetic diversity.

protein synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process by which cells create proteins, which are vital for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. This process involves two main stages: transcription and translation.

During transcription, the genetic information in DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This step takes place in the cell's nucleus and involves the enzyme RNA polymerase, which binds to a specific segment of DNA and synthesizes an mRNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template.

The mRNA then carries the genetic code from the nucleus to the ribosome, the cell's protein-making machinery, where translation occurs.

translation process

The translation process is the second stage of protein synthesis. It occurs outside the nucleus in the cell’s cytoplasm, where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain, which will fold into a functional protein.

Translation begins when the ribosome attaches to the mRNA molecule. The ribosome reads the mRNA in sets of three bases, called codons. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the corresponding amino acids to the ribosome, which links them together in the correct order to form a protein.

This process continues until a stop codon is reached, signaling the end of the protein synthesis. The newly synthesized protein then undergoes folding and possible post-translational modifications to become functional.

messenger RNA

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a key player in the process of protein synthesis. It serves as the intermediary between the genetic information encoded in DNA and the production of proteins. The production of mRNA from DNA is called transcription.

During transcription, an enzyme called RNA polymerase recognizes a specific section of DNA and synthesizes a single-stranded mRNA molecule that is complementary to the DNA template. This mRNA strand carries the genetic code from the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

In the ribosomes, the sequence of bases in mRNA is read in sets of three (codons), and each codon specifies a specific amino acid, the building blocks of proteins. This mRNA-directed process ensures that the correct proteins are built according to the genetic instructions, which are crucial for the diverse functions and structures within living organisms.