Transcription as the synthesis of RNA using a DNA template
Students should understand the roles of RNA polymerase in this process.
D1.2.2
Role of hydrogen bonding and complementary base pairing in transcription
Include the pairing of adenine (A) on the DNA template strand with uracil (U) on the RNA strand.
D1.2.3
Stability of DNA templates
Single DNA strands can be used as a template for transcribing a base sequence, without the DNA base sequence changing. In somatic cells that do not divide, such sequences must be conserved throughout the life of a cell.
D1.2.4
Transcription as a process required for the expression of genes
Limit to understanding that not all genes in a cell are expressed at any given time and that transcription, being the first stage of gene expression, is a key stage at which expression of a gene can be switched on and off.
D1.2.6
Roles of mRNA, ribosomes and tRNA in translation
Students should know that mRNA binds to the small subunit of the ribosome and that two tRNAs can bind simultaneously to the large subunit.
