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Biotechnology
Quarter 2 Module 4:
Roles of DNA, RNA and Proteins
in the Transmission of Traits
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Biotechnology Grade 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Roles of DNA, RNA and Proteins in the Transmission of Traits!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or
facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum
while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also
aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Biotechnology Grade 8 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Module on Roles of DNA, RNA and Proteins in the Transmission of Traits!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often
used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create
and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies
and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
the current lesson with the previous one.
In this portion, the new lesson will be
introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent
practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

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 Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

All organisms on the planet have very similar mechanisms by which they handle
their genetic information and use it to create the building blocks of a cell. Organisms
store information as DNA, release or carry information as RNA, and transform
information into the proteins that perform most of the functions of cells. This
of molecular biology is an extremely simplistic model, but useful for following
the flow of information in biological systems.

This module is designed and written to help you analyze and recognize the roles of
DNA, RNA and proteins in the transmission of traits.

This also includes the sub competencies and skills you are expected to learn such
as:
1. To develop an understanding of the structure and function of DNA.
2. To examine the relationship of structure and function of this amazing DNA
molecule.
3. To compare DNA and RNA;
4. To use models to construct nucleotides and a molecule of DNA;
5. To identify the sequences of DNA, mRNA and tRNA;
6. To use any two sequences of DNA and mRNA, or mRNA and tRNA to
demonstrate the concept of complementary base pairing.
7. To describe the steps of protein synthesis.

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 What I Know

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the correct answer, write your answer in your study
notebook.
1. Which of these is NOT part of a nucleotide?
a. 5-carbon sugar c. Glucose
b. Phosphate group d. Nitrogenous base
2. Which of these nitrogenous bases is NOT in DNA?
a. Uracil c. Guanine
b. Thymine d. Cytosine
3. What is the complementary base pair to Adenine in DNA?
a. Cytosine c. Thymine
b. Guanine d. Uracil
4. Where is DNA found in eukaryotic cells?
a. Nucleus c. phospholipid bilayer
b. Ribosomes d. endoplasmic reticulum
5. The codon is located on the
a. DNA c. rRNA
b. mRNA d. tRNA
6. Which molecule brings the amino acid to the ribosome?
a. DNA c. rRNA
b. mRNA d. tRNA
7. Replicate the following strand of DNA: AATCATGGA
a. AATCATGGA c. GGATAUCUA
b. TTAGTACCT d. UUAGUACCU

8. Where does transcription take place?

a. Nucleus c. smooth ER
b. Ribosome d. cytoplasm
9. In order for DNA instructions to move from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the
cytoplasm of a cell, an RNA copy of a DNA strand must be made. This process,
which takes place in the cell nucleus, is called
a. Translation c. transcription
b. Mutation DNA d. replication
10. What is the function of mRNA?
a. Carries genetic message from DNA to cytoplasm
b. Transfers amino acids from cytoplasm to ribosome
c. Stores genetic information in the nucleus
d. Links amino acids to form protein

TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is false.

_____11. RNA serves as the blueprint for traits of all living things
_____12. The order, or sequence, of bases encodes the information in DNA.
_____13. In RNA Uracil (abbreviated U) takes the place of Adenine (A)
_____14. Proteins are made up of smaller molecules called amino acids.
_____15. The structure of DNA is double helix

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 Lesson Roles of DNA, RNA and
1 Proteins in the
Transmission of Traits
From , you have traced
and learned that the history of Biotechnology has been divided into three phases.
First, the ancient biotechnology where most of the developments before the year
1800 can be termed as discoveries. If we study all these developments, we can
conclude that these discoveries were based on common observations about nature.
Next, the classical from 1800 to 1950 where Biotechnology had provided solutions
to societal crises, such as food and energy shortages during that time. Lastly, the
modern biotechnology where the Second World War became a major impediment
in scientific discoveries. After the end of the second world war, some very crucial
discoveries were reported, which paved the path for modern biotechnology. Can you
still recall some of the important events during the time of modern biotechnology?

Match column A with column B.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. James D. Watson and Francis A. human insulin drug produced
Crick genetically for the treatment of
diabetes.
2. Dolly B. their DNA composition was
discovered to be 99% similar to that
of humans.
3. Chimpanzee and Gorilla C. they described the double helix
structure of DNA
4. Kohler and César Milstein D. was cloned using DNA from two
adult sheep cells
5. Humulin E. they developed the Method for
producing monoclonal antibodies

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 Lesson DNA: The Storage of
1.1 Genetic Information

on the right in a separate sheet

of paper.

DNA SONG Guide Questions:

(To the tune: Row. Row, Row your
Boat, modified by LMRUBIO)
We love DNA
Made of nucleotides
Sugar, phosphate and a base
Bonded down one side
Adenine and thymine
Make a lovely pair
Cytosine without guanine
Would feel very bare
1. Based from the song, the DNA is made
up of ______________?
2. Nucleotide is composed of:
____________________
____________________
____________________
3. The partner of Adenine (A) is
____________?
4. The partner of Cytosine (C) is
____________?

DNA plays 5. What are the two important roles of

An important role
In transmission of traits
And in protein synthesis
When one of its
Bases is altered
Mutation takes over
organism shows changes
DNA?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
6. What happens when one of the bases
of DNA is altered or change?
______________________________________

Notes to the Teacher

Please provide a copy of DNA template found
on page 7 to your students so they would be
able to make their own paper DNA.

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 What is It

In 1953, James D. Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA
at Cambridge University. The story was described in James Watson's book "The
Double Helix" and brought to the screen in the movie, "The Race for the Double
Helix." Basically, Watson and Crick used molecular modeling techniques and data
from other investigators (including Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, Erwin
Chargaff and Linus Pauling) to solve the structure of DNA. Watson, Crick and Wilkins
received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of DNA's structure.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid or DNA is the blueprint of heredity. It has code of

instructions for the expression of inherited traits. It keeps a record of clues about
our genetic history. It provides the molecular basis of heredity, as life continues from
one generation to the next.

DNA serves as the genetic material in all living organisms as well as in

most viruses. It is organized into genes and stores genetic information. As part of
the chromosomes, the information contained in genes can be transmitted faithfully
by parents through gametes to their offspring. As genetic material, the DNA is
sufficiently stable so mutations can occur only very rarely. It can store tremendous
amount and variety of biological information. It can use this genetic information from
one generation to the next. It is self-replicating, thus allow the transmission of
genetic information from cell to cell and from generation to generation.

Location
DNA is part of the chromosomes located in the nucleus of the cell. It
is tightly coiled around an equal mass of proteins called histones. It exists in cells
as long, coiled ladderlike structure. It is also found in the cytoplasmic organelles
like mitochondria and plastids. DNA found in these organelles are called
extranuclear DNA, while those in the nucleus are called nuclear DNA.

Function
The important functions of DNA include the storage of genetic information,
expression of genetic information through synthesis of specific proteins, self-
replication that provides the means by which genetic information can be transmitted
from cell to cell, and change by mutation to provide variability among organisms.

Structure
DNA is one of the nucleic acids present in the cell. It is made up of nucleotides
composed of nitrogen base, sugar and phosphate group. The pentose sugar is the
deoxyribose that has one less oxygen than ribose sugar present in the other type of
nucleic acid, the ribonucleic acid, or RNA.
There are two classes of nitrogen bases called purines (double-ringed
structures) and pyrimidines (single-ringed structures). The four bases in DNA's
alphabet are:
adenine (A) - a purine
cytosine(C) - a pyrimidine
guanine (G) - a purine
thymine (T) - a pyrimidine

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 Watson and Crick discovered that DNA had two sides, or strands, and that
these strands were twisted together like a twisted ladder -- the double helix. They
established that the strands of their proposed double helix are antiparallel, that is
their C- (read as 5 prime carbon end) to C- (read as 3 prime carbon end)
orientations run in opposite direction, and exact complements of one another, such
that the rungs of the ladder always consist of either A = T or G = C. Adenine and
thymine are held by double hydrogen bonds while guanine and cytosine by triple
hydrogen bonds. According to Erwin Chargaff in a DNA molecule, the amount of
adenine equals the amount of thymine, and the amount of cytosine equals the
amount o
of complementary base pairing of adenine and thymine and cytosine and guanine.
This complementarity serves as basis for the replication of DNA, the expression of
hereditary characteristics that involves the transcription of DNA into RNA, and the
transmission of genetic information from generation to the next.

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7
8
 What

Make your own DNA using the template from the previous page and by
following the steps shown below. You may also watch the tutorial in this link
https://www.yourgenome.org/activities/origami-dna

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Guide Questions: (Write your answers in a sheet of paper)
1. DNA stands for?
2. What are the four important functions of DNA?
3. How are you going to describe the structure of DNA as a part of the chromosome?
4. Give the composition of DNA nucleotide.
5. What are the two types of nitrogen bases?
6. Which 2 molecules form the sides (backbone) of the DNA ladder?
7. If base-pairing rules state that Adenine always pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine
pairs with Guanine, what would be the complementary strand to ACGGT?
8. If this is a sequence of one DNA strand ATTCAGCGA, what is the complementary
sequence of the other DNA strand?
9. How many hydrogen bonds are there between adenine and thymine? How about
on guanine and cytosine?
10. Copy and label the part of a nucleotide (3points)

11. What is the discovery of Erwin Chargaff about the DNA molecule?

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 Lesson
DNA Replication
1.2
DNA is a double-stranded molecule that contains our unique genetic code.
DNA is found in the nucleus of each of our body's cells. In fact, every cell of our body
contains our entire DNA code. This explains how cops find bad guys. If an offender
leaves behind a drop of blood or a single strand of hair, cells in the blood and hair
contain the offender's complete, one-of-a-kind DNA code.

Our body is constantly making new cells through cell division. Therefore, cells
need a way of copying the DNA so that each new cell has the same genetic
information. The process of copying a DNA molecule to produce two identical DNA
molecules is called DNA replication. It has to happen before a cell can divide.

The mode of DNA replication is called semiconservative replication because

each parental DNA strand serves as template or pattern for a new strand, and as
each new strand is formed, it is hydrogen-bonded to its parental template.

Steps of DNA Replication:

1. the
DNA molecule. This is carried out by an enzyme called helicase (Helix Unwinding
Protein) which breaks the hydrogen bonds holding the complementary bases of
DNA together (A with T, C with G). Meanwhile, as the helicase separates the
strands, another enzyme called primase briefly attaches to each strand and
assembles a foundation at which replication can begin. This foundation is a short
stretch of nucleotides called a primer.
2.
. The two separated strands will act as templates for making
the new strands of DNA.
3. Single-strand-binding proteins (Helix-destabilizing proteins) then bind to each
of the single stranded DNA at the replication fork and is responsible for preventing
the separated strands from re-annealing.
4. DNA gyrase (Helix-relaxing protein) functions to relax the tension of supercoiled
twists created in unwinding the parental double helix without rotation.
5. -
synthesized continuously and this is referred to as the leading strand. This is
because the DNA polymerase ,
6. The other strand, which is antiparallel and terminates in a free- -end, is
synthesized discontinuously and is referred to as the lagging strand. Short
strands of nucleotides are formed in the lagging strand due to discontinuous
replication. These short strands of nucleotides or small precursor fragments are
called Okazaki fragments, named after its discoverer, Reiji Okazaki. The
Okazaki fragments ultimately joined to a continuous strand of DNA. Then the
DNA ligase -OH
-P end so the nucleotides are linearly attached.
7. After the synthesis of the two new DNA molecules, they recoil or rewind again into
new double helices. Then DNA polymerase also proofreads the newly synthesized
DNA molecules to remove the undesirable nucleotides

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 Figure 1 DNA REPLICATION

Guide Questions: (Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper)

1. Why does DNA need to replicate?
2. What do you call the mode of DNA replication? Why is it called that way?
3. Give the other names and functions of the following proteins: (2 points each)
a. Helix unwinding protein-
b. Helix-destabilizing protein
c. Helix-relaxing protein
4. Differentiate leading strand from lagging strand.
5. What are Okazaki fragments?
6. Give the function/s of the following enzymes:
a. Primase -
b. DNA Ligase -
c. DNA Polymerase -
7. Arrange the steps of DNA Replication in the correct order.
The newly formed DNA molecules recoil to become double helices.
The two strands unzip by breaking the weak hydrogen bonds between
nitrogen bases.

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 The double helix DNA uncoils.
Free nucleotides in the nucleoplasm attach themselves to the separated
strands of nucleotides through their complementary nitrogen bases.
Sugars and phosphate of nucleotides link.

8. simulate DNA replication. Copy the templates of DNA for replication below.
Write the complementary bases of the red DNA template from left to right. Then,
write the complementary bases of the blue DNA template from right to left.

DNA A T G G C G G C G A T T C G A A T C G
New

New
DNA T A C C G C C G C T A A G C T T A G C

9. Which is harder to do? Writing the complementary bases from left to right or
writing it from right to left? Which do you think is the leading strand in the
template above? Which is the lagging strand?
10. What is the result of DNA replication?

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 Protein synthesis:
Lesson
Transcription and
1.1 Translation

DNA has the code of instruction for the expression of inherited traits. A
certain inherited trait cannot be expressed if the right protein is not made. The
direction in which genetic information flows is from the DNA to RNA to proteins.
This idea was first proposed by Francis Crick in 1958 which he called the Central
Dogma of Molecular Genetics, which can be represented in a diagram as follows:

Based on the central dogma, a given gene is transcribed to produce a

messenger RNA (mRNA) complementary to one of the DNA strands, and that
transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules translate the sequence of bases in the mRNA
into the appropriate sequence of amino acids to form specific protein.

Protein synthesis is a term that means making protein. The recipe for protein
synthesis uses ingredients like mRNA, tRNA, and amino acids as well as a special
piece of equipment called a ribosome. In this lesson, we'll talk about how your cells
use the ingredients of protein synthesis to build new proteins inside of ribosomes.

There are two steps of protein synthesis: transcription and translation.

If you transcribe something it means you write it down. So, in this step, the
RNA is
a copy, or a transcription, of DNA. See, the DNA is very important, since it holds the

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information needed for making new cells and maintaining life, so it never leaves the
nucleus. The RNA is the one that goes out into the cytoplasm to do work throughout
the cell. It's also super important because without RNA our bodies would not be able
to make proteins, which make up about 20% of our bodies.

The process of making a copy of RNA from the DNA is called transcription.
This is important to making proteins! The DNA, which is a double helix, is
transcribed or copied, into a single helix--the RNA. The RNA then takes on one of
these three forms:

Ribosomal RNA, or rRNA, helps make up the ribosome. Forms the structural
component of the ribosome which serves as the site for attachment of mRNA and
tRNA and the site for protein synthesis. The ribosome is the protein factory of the
cell.

Messenger RNA, or mRNA, carries the blueprint copied from the cell's
original DNA. It's like a piece of mail sent to the ribosomes, providing instructions on
how to build proteins. It serves as the basis to determine the amino acid sequence
during protein synthesis

Transfer RNA, or tRNA, is also part of the way a cell builds proteins--it does
the heavy lifting. Think of tRNA like a dump truck that brings the amino acid (the
raw material for making proteins) to the ribosome. It translates the nucleotide
sequence in mRNA into protein amino acid sequence because it has an anticodon
that complements with the codon of mRNA

RNA can base-pair with a single-stranded DNA, and this pairing obeys the
same hydrogen-bonding rules as in DNA, except the adenine pairs with uracil (U)
instead of thymine. RNA can also base-pair with itself.

Copy and complete the tables below.

Table 1. Differences between DNA and RNA

Basis DNA RNA
1. Full name

2. sugar

3. nitrogen bases
Purines:
Pyrimidines:
4. number of strands

5. Location

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 Table 2. Three Types of RNA
Type Abbreviated name Function
Messenger Ribonucleic
acid

Transfer Ribonucleic acid

Ribosomal Ribonucleic
acid

Genetic information is stored in the DNA contained in the nucleus. How does
the genetic information get out from the nucleus and reach the cytoplasm,
particularly the ribosome, which is the workbench of protein synthesis?

According to the messenger hypothesis developed by Crick and his colleagues,

RNA molecule forms as a complimentary copy of one DNA strand of a particular
gene. During transcription the information contained in the DNA is exactly copied
by the messenger RNA, or mRNA. This mRNA, then travels from the nucleus to the
ribosome in the cytoplasm, where it serves as a template for the synthesis of proteins.

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Steps of Transcription: (see the diagram below to visualize the processes or steps)

1. Initiation - In the nucleus, RNA Polymerase recognizes the recognition sites or

initiation sites causing it to bind to a promoter (the start of a gene). The RNA
Polymerase then separates the DNA into single strands so the template strand

2. Elongation Pre-mRNA nucleotides are quickly paired with their complementary

bases which correspond with the template strand of the DNA. The pre-mRNA

-mRNA does not contain thymine, instead uracil

(U) is used as the complementary base for Adenine.

3. Termination When the RNA polymerase reaches the terminator, it signals the
RNA polymerase to stop and release from the DNA. Once separated the two DNA
strands come back together and reform the double helix. The newly formed pre-
mRNA molecule is then released.

Guide Questions: (Please answer in a sheet of paper)

1. What is transcription?
2. In which part of the cell transcription occurs?
3. What enzyme is responsible in the transcription of DNA to RNA?
4. What is the product of transcription? What are the three forms of this
product?
5. What is the complementary base for adenine (A) during transcription?
6. Copy the templates of DNA for transcription.
Write the complementary bases of the DNA template to make a copy of
mRNA.
DNA A T G G C G G C G A T T C G A A T C G
mRNA

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 DNA T A C C G C C G C T A A G C T T A G C

7. How many strands of RNA was produced during transcription?

8. What signals the RNA polymerase to start transcription? What signals it to
stop?
9. What RNA sequence would bond with DNA strand of ATTCAGCGA?
10. What are the three steps of transcription?

Translation involves
information to build a polypeptide, or chain of amino acids. For most purposes, a
polypeptide is basically just a protein.

In an mRNA, the instructions for building a polypeptide come in groups of

three nucleotides called codons. Here are some key features of codons to keep in
mind as we move forward:
There are 61 different codons that encode only 20 amino acids

f translation (it also specifies

the amino acid methionine)

These relationships between mRNA codons and amino acids are known as
the genetic code. The genetic code chart may be used to determine the triplet code(s)
for each amino acid. It can be noticed that there are many more codons than there

bases) give 64 (43) different three-letter codons, yet only 61 codons encode only 20
amino acids. AUG, which a code for methionine, is also the start codon that initiates
translation. The three of the codons, (UAA, UAG, UGA) are stop codons, or chain
terminators; when the translation machinery reaches one of these codons,
translation stops, and the polypeptide is released from the translation complex.

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