How many NESA Biology questions cover DNA and Polypeptide Synthesis?

AusGrader has 69 NESA Biology questions on DNA and Polypeptide Synthesis, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

NESA (HSC) Biology — DNA and Polypeptide Synthesis Questions & Answers | AusGrader

Q10

2024

QCAA

Paper 1

1 mark

Q10

1 mark

A key function of histones is to

A

add nucleotides to a growing DNA strand.

B

bind to specific sections of DNA to initiate replication.

C

allow DNA to tightly condense so it fits into the nucleus.

D

join amino acids to form a polypeptide chain during translation.

Q1

2020

QCAA

Paper 1

1 mark

Q1

1 mark

In prokaryotes, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found as unbound circular DNA in the

A

mitochondria.

B

chloroplasts.

C

nucleus.

D

cytosol.

Q25

2024

NESA

6 marks

Q25a

2 marks

One-Eyed Jack was a rescue dog that had been injured and lost an eye before his owner adopted him. One-Eyed Jack was cloned and the clone was born with two eyes.

Explain why the cloned dog was born with two eyes.

The rescue dog had been injured and lost an eye but it still had the genetic code for two eyes which the clone inherited.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Explains the relationship between the cloning of the dog and being born with both eyes	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

Q25b

4 marks

Describe how animals like dogs can be cloned.

The egg of a host animal is enucleated (nucleus removed). The nucleus of a body cell of the animal to be cloned is removed. The nucleus of the animal to be cloned is inserted into the enucleated host animal’s egg to produce a zygote. The zygote is stimulated to divide via electric charge. The zygote is then transplanted into the surrogate mother’s uterus. After a period of time, a cloned animal is born.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Describes how animals can be cloned	4
Outlines how animals can be cloned	3
Demonstrates some understanding of the cloning of animals	2
Provides some relevant information	1
None of the above	0

Q2

2021

QCAA

Paper 2

3 marks

Q2a

2 marks

Explain the difference between exons and introns.

Exons are sequences of coding DNA, which is transcribed into mRNA and then translated into proteins.
Introns are sequences of non-coding DNA and have a variety of other functions. They are spliced out of the mRNA prior to translation.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States that exons are coding DNA and introns are non-coding DNA	1
Explains that exons are transcribed into mRNA and then translated into proteins, whereas introns are spliced out of mRNA and have other functions	1

Q2b

1 mark

State a function of telomeres.

Descriptor	Marks
States a function of telomeres	1

Q36

2024

SCSA

20 marks

Q36

Proteins are present in all living organisms and are essential to cell structure and function.

Q36a

10 marks

Describe the roles of DNA, messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) in protein synthesis.

DNA contains genetic information. mRNA is produced from DNA, and the genetic information or code is transferred to mRNA using complementary base pairing. The conversion of DNA to mRNA is called transcription.

The mRNA molecule transfers the genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where the mRNA forms a complex with ribosomes. tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain. One end of the tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid, while the other end of the tRNA molecule, the anticodon, binds with the complementary mRNA codon. The amino acid on the tRNA is transferred to the protein chain, and different tRNAs add different amino acids. The conversion of mRNA to a protein is called translation.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 10 of): States that DNA contains genes/genetic code/genetic information States that mRNA is produced from DNA Describes that genetic information/code is transferred to mRNA Identifies the use of complementary base pairing Identifies that the conversion of DNA to mRNA is called transcription Describes that the mRNA molecule transfers genetic information/code (from nucleus) to cytoplasm States that mRNA forms a complex with ribosomes Describes that tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome/mRNA Explains that tRNA ensures the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain Describes that one end of the tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid (determined by anticodon) Describes that the other end of the tRNA molecule (anticodon) binds with the complementary mRNA codon States that the amino acid on the tRNA is transferred to the protein chain Identifies that different tRNAs add different amino acids Identifies that the conversion of mRNA to a protein is called translation	10

Descriptor

Marks

1 mark for each correct point (any 10 of):

States that DNA contains genes/genetic code/genetic information
States that mRNA is produced from DNA
Describes that genetic information/code is transferred to mRNA
Identifies the use of complementary base pairing
Identifies that the conversion of DNA to mRNA is called transcription
Describes that the mRNA molecule transfers genetic information/code (from nucleus) to cytoplasm
States that mRNA forms a complex with ribosomes
Describes that tRNA carries amino acids to the ribosome/mRNA
Explains that tRNA ensures the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain
Describes that one end of the tRNA molecule carries a specific amino acid (determined by anticodon)
Describes that the other end of the tRNA molecule (anticodon) binds with the complementary mRNA codon
States that the amino acid on the tRNA is transferred to the protein chain
Identifies that different tRNAs add different amino acids
Identifies that the conversion of mRNA to a protein is called translation

10

Q36b

10 marks

Life on earth is very old.

Describe four characteristics of the oldest known life forms and explain how the fossil record and comparative genomics have helped to determine the characteristics of early life forms.

Early life forms were a type of bacteria that consisted of single cells. They were prokaryotes and anaerobic, dating back 3.5 billion years.

The fossil record provides preserved remains of organisms that show the morphological characteristics of organisms. From this, we can obtain evidence of their age from the type and location of the rock.

Comparative genomics involves the comparison of genomes of different species. This is done by collecting DNA from a broad range of organisms to identify conserved sequences of the genome. These conserved sequences are used to determine the genetic characteristics of early life forms and construct a phylogenetic tree. The tree is used to identify early life forms or close relatives, assuming that early life forms have similar characteristics to their closest living relatives.

Marking Criteria

Characteristics

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 4 of): Identifies them as a type of bacteria/archaea/cyanobacteria States they consist of single cells Identifies them as prokaryotes or lacking a nucleus/membrane-bound organelles States they were anaerobic/lived without oxygen Identifies they lived in aquatic/marine habitats States they are ancient/3.5 billion years old	4

Fossil record

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): Describes fossils as preserved remains/traces of organisms States that fossils show morphological characteristics (of organisms) Explains that evidence of age/habitat can be obtained Identifies that this evidence comes from the type/location of rock	3

Comparative genomics

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): Describes comparative genomics as the comparison of genomes/DNA/genes of different species Describes collecting DNA/genes/molecular data from a broad range of organisms/bacteria/micro-organisms/fossils Identifies the need to identify conserved sequences/genes/parts of the genome Explains using conserved sequences to determine genetic characteristics of early life forms Describes constructing a phylogenetic tree Explains using the tree to identify early life forms/close relatives of early life forms States the assumption that early life forms have similar characteristics to closest living relatives	3

Descriptor

Marks

1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of):

Describes comparative genomics as the comparison of genomes/DNA/genes of different species
Describes collecting DNA/genes/molecular data from a broad range of organisms/bacteria/micro-organisms/fossils
Identifies the need to identify conserved sequences/genes/parts of the genome
Explains using conserved sequences to determine genetic characteristics of early life forms
Describes constructing a phylogenetic tree
Explains using the tree to identify early life forms/close relatives of early life forms
States the assumption that early life forms have similar characteristics to closest living relatives

3

NESA Biology DNA and Polypeptide Synthesis

Characteristics

Fossil record

Comparative genomics

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