Question

1. what is the name of the process where you are copying the dna message into rna?
2. where does this process happen in the cell?
3. the mrna code is divided into every three bases (letters). what are every three bases on the mrna called?
4. what are three differences between the dna and rna molecules?
5. what is one similarity between dna and rna?
6. what would happen to your sentence if you mutated or changed one letter of the dna code?

Explanation:

1. Identifies the core genetic transcription process.
2. States the cellular location of this DNA-to-RNA process.
3. Names the 3-base mRNA coding units.
4. Lists key structural/chemical differences between DNA and RNA.
5. Notes a shared fundamental feature of DNA and RNA.
6. Explains the impact of a single DNA base mutation on the resulting "sentence" (protein/product).

Answer:

1. Transcription
2. In the nucleus (of eukaryotic cells; in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells)
3. Codons
4. Three differences:

• DNA has deoxyribose sugar, RNA has ribose sugar
• DNA uses thymine (T) as a base, RNA uses uracil (U) instead
• DNA is typically double-stranded, RNA is typically single-stranded

1. Both are nucleic acids made up of nucleotide subunits, and both use adenine (A), cytosine (C), and guanine (G) as bases.
2. Changing one "letter" (base) could alter the corresponding codon, which might change the amino acid coded for, potentially altering the final protein (or "sentence") structure and function; in some cases, it could have no effect (silent mutation) or lead to a premature stop signal.