LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

QUARTER 2nd / WEEK 5

Name: ______________________________________ Score: _________________

Grade & Section: ____________________________ Subject: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Name of Teacher: _KRISLAN JAN Q. FIGUERRES Date: __________________

I. Title: DNA, RNA and Proteins

II. Type of Activity: Concept notes with formative activities

LAS for summative assessment ( Written Work Performance Task)

III. MELC: Describe the structure of DNA, and ribonucleic acid (RNA), and proteins
in order to analyze their vital role in the transmission of hereditary traits.

IV. Learning Objective/s:

 Describe the structure and compositions of DNA, RNA and proteins
and their vital role in the transmission of hereditary traits;
 Recognize the vital role of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the
transmission of hereditary traits; and
 Construct a DNA model using indigenous/recycled materials.

V. Reference/s:

Print Material/s:
Santos, G. N., Danac, A. C. (2006). Biology (Investigatory Biology), pp.
445- 446. 84- 86 P. Florentino St., Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City,
Rex Printing Company Inc.

Herren, R. V. (2004). Introduction to Biotechnology, pp. 70- 72. Unit

2105- 2106 Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, MG Reprographics.

Online Resource/s:
DNA Structure, RNA. Retrieved at https://microbe.net/simple-guides/fact-
sheet-dna-rna-protein/ on October 21, 2020.

Proteins. Retrieved at
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology1/chapter/reading-
function-of-proteins/ on October 21, 2020

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VI. Concept Notes

Structures and Function of DNA, RNA and Proteins

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the material substance of inheritance. All

cellular organisms use DNA to encode and store their genetic information. DNA is a
chemical compound that resembles a long chain, with the links in the chain made up
of individual chemical units called nucleotides. The nucleotides themselves have
three components: a sugar (deoxyribose), phosphate, and a nucleobase (frequently
just called a base). The bases come in four chemical forms known as adenine,
cytosine, guanine, and thymine, which are frequently simply abbreviated as A, C, G
and T. The order, or “sequence”, of bases encodes the information in DNA.

All living organisms store DNA in a safe, stable, duplex form: the famous
“double helix”, in which two chains (also known as strands) of DNA wrap around
each other. The two DNA strands are arranged with the bases from one lining up
with the bases of the other. The sugar and phosphate components run up the
outside like curving rails, with the matched bases forming ladder-like rails in the
center. (Note – some viruses have their genetic material in the form of a single
strand of DNA). The shape and charge of the bases cause adenosine to bond
weakly to thymine, and cytosine to bond weakly to guanine. The bases from one
strand of a DNA helix are in essence a mirror image of the bases in the other strand
– when there is an A in one strand there is a T in the other; when there is a cytosine
in one strand there is a guanine in the other. These “base pairing” rules are the key
to understanding how DNA carries information and is copied into a new DNA strand
—a cell must copy its DNA before it divides into two cells. When organisms copy
their genomes, enzymes separate the two strands of the double helix, pulling apart
the paired bases. Other enzymes start new DNA strands, using the base pairing
rules to make a new mirror image of each of the original strands. Mistakes in this
process can lead to mutations – changes in the genomic sequence between
generations. Many organisms possess error checking mechanisms that scan
through the newly replicated DNA for mistakes and correct them, thus greatly limiting
the number of mutations that arise due to replication errors.

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 Figure 1: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Ribonucleic Acid

DNA holds information, but it generally does not actively apply that
information. DNA does not make things. To extract the information and get it to the
location of cellular machinery that can carry out its instructions (usually the blueprints
for a protein) the DNA code is “transcribed” into a corresponding sequence in a
“carrier” molecule called ribonucleic acid, or RNA. The portions of DNA that are
transcribed into RNA are called “genes”. DNA is transcribed to RNA. RNA is very
similar to DNA. It resembles a long chain, with the links in the chain made up of
individual nucleotides. The nucleotides in RNA, as in DNA, are made up of three
components – a sugar, phosphate, and a base. The sugar in RNA is ribose instead
of the more stable dexoyribose in DNA, which helps to make RNA both more flexible
and less durable.
As in DNA, in RNA the bases come in four chemical forms, and the
information in RNA is encoded in the sequence in which these bases are arranged.
As in DNA, in RNA one finds adenine (A), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). However,
in RNA uracil (abbreviated U) takes the place of thymine (T) (the switch allows RNA
some special properties that we won’t go into here, at the cost of making it less
stable than DNA). Cells make RNA messages in a process like the replication of
DNA. The DNA strands are pulled apart in the location of the gene to be transcribed,
and enzymes create the messenger RNA from the sequence of DNA bases using
the base pairing rules.

Figure 2: DNA transcribed to RNA

There are three key types of RNA: messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and
transfer RNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries the instructions for making proteins.
Like DNA, proteins are polymers: long chains assembled from prefab molecular
units, which, in the case of proteins, are amino acids. A large molecular machine
called the ribosome translates the mRNA code and assembles the proteins.
Ribosomes read the message in mRNA in three letter “words” called codons, which
translate to specific amino acids, or an instruction to stop making the protein. Each
possible three letter arrangement of A,C,U,G (e.g., AAA, AAU, GGC, etc.) is a

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specific instruction, and the correspondence of these instructions and the amino
acids is known as the “genetic code.” Though exceptions to or variations on the code
exist, the standard genetic code holds true in most organisms.

Figure 3: mRNA codons

Ribosomes are found in all cellular organisms and they are incredibly similar
in their structure and function across all of life. In fact, the extreme similarity of
ribosomes across all of life is one of the lines of evidence that all life on the planet is
descended from a common ancestor.
The ribosome reads the instructions found in the messenger RNA molecules
in a cell and builds proteins from these mRNAs by chemically linking together amino
acids (these are the building blocks of proteins) in the order defined by the mRNA.
Messenger RNA molecules are longer than the encoded protein sequence
instructions and include instructions to the ribosome to “start” and “stop” building the
protein. Within any organism, there can be hundreds to thousands to tens of
thousands of distinct mRNAs that lead to distinct proteins. The diversity of form and
function in organisms is determined in a large part by the types of proteins made as
well as the regulation of where and when these proteins are made.
The ribosome that converts mRNA into proteins is large and complex. It has
more than fifty proteins (the exact number varies by species) in two major subunits
(known generally as the large and small subunit). In addition to proteins, each
subunit includes special RNA molecules, known as ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) because
they function in the ribosome. They do not carry instructions for making a specific
protein (i.e., they are not messenger RNAs) but instead are an integral part of the
ribosome machinery that is used to make proteins from mRNAs.

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 Figure 4: Transfer RNA (tRNA)

Ribosomes do not read the instructions present in mRNA directly – they need
help from yet another type of RNA in cells. Transfer RNAs (tRNA) couple amino
acids to their RNA codes. Each codon is supposed to be converted into either a
specific amino acid in a protein or a specific instruction to the ribosome (e.g., start,
stop, pause, etc.). At one end, a transfer RNA presents a three-base codon. At the
other, it grasps the corresponding amino acid. Transfer RNAs “read”, or “translate”,
the messenger RNA through base pairing, the chemical attraction of A for T and C
for G, just as the RNA sequence is “transcribed” from DNA by base pairing. The
ribosome acts like a giant clamp, holding all of the players in position, and facilitating
both the pairing of bases between the messenger and transfer RNAs, and the
chemical bonding between the amino acids. The making of proteins by reading
instructions in mRNA is generally known as “translation.”

Figure 5: mRNA is translated into Protein

DNA vs. RNA – A Comparison Chart
Comparison DNA RNA
Full Name Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ribonucleic Acid
Function DNA replicates and stores genetic RNA converts the genetic

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 information. It is a blueprint for all information contained within DNA
genetic information contained to a format used to build proteins,
within an organism and then moves it to ribosomal
protein factories.
Structure DNA consists of two strands, RNA only has one strand, but like
arranged in a double helix. These DNA, is made up of nucleotides.
strands are made up of subunits RNA strands are shorter than
called nucleotides. Each DNA strands. RNA sometimes
nucleotide contains a phosphate, forms a secondary double helix
a 5-carbon sugar molecule and a structure, but only intermittently.
nitrogenous base.
DNA is a much longer polymer RNA molecules are variable in
Length than RNA. A chromosome, for length, but much shorter than
example, is a single, long DNA long DNA polymers. A large RNA
molecule, which would be several molecule might only be a few
centimeters in length when thousand base pairs long.
unraveled.

The sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, RNA contains ribose sugar

Sugar which contains one less hydroxyl molecules, without the hydroxyl
group than RNA’s ribose. modifications of deoxyribose.

The bases in DNA are Adenine RNA shares Adenine (‘A’),

Bases (‘A’), Thymine (‘T’), Guanine (‘G’) Guanine (‘G’) and Cytosine (‘C’)
and Cytosine (‘C’). with DNA but contains Uracil (‘U’)
rather than Thymine.

Adenine and Thymine pair (A-T) Adenine and Uracil pair (A-U)
Base Pairs Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G) Cytosine and Guanine pair (C-G)

DNA is found in the nucleus, with RNA forms in the nucleolus, and
Location a small amount of DNA also then moves to specialized
present in mitochondria. regions of the cytoplasm
depending on the type of RNA
formed.

Due to its deoxyribose sugar, RNA, containing a ribose sugar,

which contains one less oxygen- is more reactive than DNA and is
containing hydroxyl group, DNA is not stable in alkaline conditions.
a more stable molecule than RNA, RNA’s larger helical grooves
Reactivity which is useful for a molecule mean it is more easily subject to
which has the task of keeping attack by enzymes.
genetic information safe.
Ultraviolet DNA is vulnerable to damage by RNA is more resistant to damage
(UV) ultraviolet light. from UV light than DNA.
Sensitivity

Proteins

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 Proteins are the key working molecules and building blocks in all cells. They
are produced in a similar two-step process in all organisms – DNA is first transcribed
into RNA, then RNA is translated into protein. Proteins have different shapes and
molecular weights; some proteins are globular in shape whereas others are fibrous
in nature. For example, hemoglobin is a globular protein, but collagen, found in our
skin, is a fibrous protein. Protein shape is critical to its function, and this shape is
maintained by many different types of chemical bonds. Changes in temperature, pH,
and exposure to chemicals may lead to permanent changes in the shape of the
protein, leading to loss of function, known as denaturation. Different arrangements of
the same 20 types of amino acids comprise all proteins.

Types Examples Functions

Digestive Amylase, Lipase, Help in digestion of food by
enzymes Pepsin, Trypsin catabolizing nutrients into monomeric
units.
Transport Hemoglobin, Albumin Carry substances in the blood or
lymph throughout the body.
Structural Actin, Tubulin, Keratin Construct different structures like
cytoskeleton.
Hormones Insulin, Thyroxine Coordinate the activity of the
different body systems.
Defense Immunoglobulins Protect the body from foreign
pathogens.
Contractile Actin, Myosin Effect muscle contraction.
Storage Legume storage Provide nourishment in early
protein, egg white development of the embryo and the
(Albumin) seedling.
Table 1: Proteins Types and Functions

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Task 1. Name It. Read the following sentences, identify the word/s describe and
choose your answer on the given sets of words on the box below. Write your answer
on the space provided.

Nucleotides Amino Acids Proteins

RNA DNA Ribosome

1. These are a group of organic compounds that form the building blocks of
proteins.
2. This is a double helix strand and is the hereditary material in humans and
almost all other organisms.
3. It is an organic compound that is considered as the building block of DNA
and RNA.
4. These are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the
body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure,
function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
5. It is principally involved in the synthesis of proteins, carrying the
messenger instructions from DNA, which itself contains the genetic
instructions required for the development and maintenance of life.

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Task 2. Check your Understanding. Read and understand the statements
comprehensively. Write True of the statement is correct or False if the statement is
incorrect.

1. All living organisms have DNA including all types of microorganisms like fungi,
bacteria, and viruses.
2. DNA is known as the blueprint of life.
3. RNA is a double helix strand.
4. Thymine, Guanine, Adenine, and Cytosine are the key working molecules and
building blocks of cells.
5. There are four nitrogenous base pairs in DNA, namely Adenine, Cytosine,
Thymine and Guanine.
Task 3. Check your Concepts. Read and analyze the questions carefully. Choose
the letter of the correct answer.
1. The following are types of RNA; except:
a. tRNA c. Ribosomal RNA
b. mRNA d. nRNA
2. These portions of DNA that are transcribed into RNA.
a. Amino Acids c. Proteins
b. Genes d. Nitrogenous bases
3. ________________ is the term used when proteins loss their function
because it was affected by the change in temperature, pH, and exposure to
chemicals that leads to permanent change in shape.
a. Decomposition c. Naturalization
b. Denaturation d. Neutralization
4. The ribosome read the messages in mRNA are called ___________.
a. Codon c. Helicase
b. Helix d. Ribose
5. The following are the nitrogenous base pairs in DNA; except one:
a. Thymine c. Uracil
b. Cytosine d. Guanine

YOU CAN DO MORE!

Task 4. Let’s Analyze. Read the following guide sentences to unscramble the
words, identify the word/s describe. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. Clue: It is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms.
Answer: ______________________

E R N L Y I O U C D B O I C X E D I C A

2. Clue: It is composed of amino acids.

Answer: ___________________

P T E I S N O R

3. Clue: It is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity.

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 Answer: _______________________

E N E S G

4. Clue: The nucleic acid that is used in key metabolic processes for all steps of
protein synthesis in all living cells and carries the genetic information of many
viruses.
Answer: ______________________

C U I I B O C N R E L C I D A

5. Clue: It is the basic building block of nucleic acids.

Answer: ______________________
I C O E E D L U N S T

Task 5. Let’s Understand. Indicate whether the sentence or statement is True or

False. If false, underline the word/s that makes the sentence incorrect, change the
identified word or phrase to make the statement true.
1. Proteins have one specific shape that is critical to their function.
2. Sudden changes in temperature, pH, and exposure to chemicals may lead to
permanent changes in the shape of the protein, which can ultimately loss their
function.
3. Ribosomes play a vital role in the production of proteins.
4. RNA is transcribed to DNA to proteins.
5. RNA molecules are longer than the encoded protein sequence instructions
and include instructions to the ribosome to “start” and “stop” building the
protein.

Task 6. Check your Understanding. Complete the Venn diagram below to compare
and contrast DNA and RNA, then fill in the middle section the concepts that both
shared by DNA and RNA.

Deoxyrib Ribonucl

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 YOU CAN DO MORE!

Task 7. Spotlight. Read the question below. Answer the question briefly and
accurately.
1. What is meant in the phrase “DNA is the blueprint of life”?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Task 8. Sci Challenge. Read the question below. Answer the question briefly and
accurately.
1. Why is DNA important?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Task 9. Let’s Analyze. Read the question below. Answer the question briefly and
accurately.
1. What do you think will happen if we lack protein in our body system?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

LEVEL UP!
Task 10. Critical Thinking. Read the question below. Answer the question briefly
and accurately.
1. What if our body stop making proteins? What do you think will happen to our
system?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Task 11. Illustrate It. Draw the DNA and RNA then label their part correctly.

Task 12. Let’s Create. Construct a 3D model of the DNA using indigenous materials
available in at home. Use the image below as your guide.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

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 Figure 6: DNA

VII. Note to Teachers.

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