Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ____/54

G12 Biology: Class 10 Homework

Use Chargaff’s rule to complete the following table. Assume an ideal experiment. [3 marks]

Nucleotide Proportion
A 24%
C 26%
G 26%
T 24%

What would the complementary strand be for each of the following DNA sequences?
[3 marks]

a. 5’–ATGTTCAAT-3’ b. 5’-TTAGCTCCG-3’ c. 5’-CCGTTAATC-3’

3’- TACAAGTTA 3’- AATCGAGGC-5’ 3’- GGCAATTAG

Would a mutation in a protein-coding region of DNA be more detrimental than a mutation

in a non-coding region? Explain your answer. [2 marks]

A mutation in a protein-coding region may not always be more harmful than a

mutation in a non-coding region because non-coding regions can include regulatory
elements that affect protein and RNA production. Furthermore, due to redundancy in
the genetic code, a mutation in the protein-coding region might not necessarily
change the protein's amino acid sequence.

Why does DNA replication occur before cell division occurs? [2 marks]

DNA replication occurs before cell division because it ensures the transmission of
identical genetic information to daughter cells. It maintains genetic continuity and
accuracy by copying the DNA with error-checking mechanisms. This process is
essential for the growth, development, and repair of multicellular organisms, as well
as for the reproduction of single-celled organisms. DNA replication preserves and
conserves genetic information, ensuring the proper functioning of cells in the next
generation. Without this crucial step, cell division would result in cells lacking the
necessary genetic instructions for their function and survival.

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ____/54

How is DNA able to fit inside the nucleus? Include all the necessary proteins and
components involved in DNA folding. [3 marks]

DNA is able to fit inside the nucleus by being tightly packed around histone proteins
to form nucleosomes. Nucleosomes are further condensed and folded into
higher-order chromatin structures with the help of non-histone proteins. During cell
division, chromatin is further condensed into chromosomes. The process of DNA
packaging is essential for allowing the DNA to fit inside the nucleus, protecting the
DNA from damage, and regulating gene expression.

Temperature sensitive mutant strains of E. coli are a useful model for analyzing genes
important in DNA replication. Predict what functions would be affected in each of the
following E. coli mutants:

a. Mutation in dnaG (primase gene) [2 marks]

If a significant mutation occurs in the primase gene of E.coli strain, then the RNA
primers cannot be produced at the site of replication (origins of replication). As a result,
new strands of DNA cannot be synthesized.

b. Mutation in lig (ligase gene) [2 marks]

If there is a mutation involving ligase gene, then the okazaki fragments are not joined
with each other in the lagging strand. As a result, new DNA strand is not formed.

c. Mutation in dnaB (helicase gene) [2 marks]

If there is mutation in dnaB gene, then the helicase enzyme becomes defective. As a
result, the helicase would not be able to uncoil (unzips) the two parental strands of DNA
for initiation of replication. In other words, replication forks are not formed

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ____/54

Compare and contrast conservative DNA replication and semiconservative DNA replication.
[3 marks]

In the semi-conservative model, the two parental strands separate and each forms a copy of
itself. After one step of replication, the two daughter molecules each comprises one old and one
new strand. After two rounds, two of the DNA molecules consist only of new material, while the
other two contain one old and one new strand.

In the conservative model, the parental molecule directs synthesis of an entirely new
double-stranded molecule, such that after one step of replication, one molecule is conserved as
two old strands. This is repeated in the second round.

The semi-conservative model is the naturally appealing model, because separation of the two
strands provides two templates, each of which carries all the information of the original
molecule.

Why are multiple origins of replication advantageous? [2 marks]

Multiple origins of replication are advantageous as they enable faster and more
efficient DNA replication. This accelerates the process, particularly in rapidly dividing
cells, and reduces the risk of incomplete replication. Multiple origins provide
redundancy which results in enhancing the reliability of replication by allowing other
sites to take over if one encounters obstacles or damage. They help maintain
genomic stability by reducing the risk of errors and mutations in the genetic
material.

If protein were the hereditary material in Hershey and Chase’s experiments, what would
they have seen in the results of their experiments? [2 marks]

The bacteria infected with the radioactive protein phage would have become
radioactive. This is because the protein would have entered the bacteria along with the
DNA. The bacteria infected with the radioactive DNA phage would not have become
radioactive. This is because the DNA would have entered the bacteria, but the protein
coat would have remained outside of the bacteria.

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ____/54

10- Explain how the leading strand and lagging strand of a DNA molecule are replicated. [6
marks]

The leading strand is replicated continuously in the 5' to 3' direction as the DNA helix
unwinds, with DNA polymerase III adding complementary nucleotides to the
template strand. However, The lagging strand, which runs in the opposite direction to
the replication fork, is replicated discontinuously. Short RNA primers are first
synthesized by RNA primase, and DNA polymerase III then elongates these primers
with complementary DNA nucleotides, creating Okazaki fragments. DNA ligase
subsequently joins these fragments into a continuous strand.

11- Explain the functions of each of the following proteins and enzymes. [8 marks]

Proteins and
Functions
Enzymes

The main enzyme is DNA replication used in separation of double

Helicase helical structure of DNA and allows it to replicate. In other words it just
unwinds the DNA strand.
The enzyme that is used in the replication process. They help in
Primase synthesis for production of short RNA molecules used as primers for
DNA polymerases.
It binds to a single strand of DNA, to prevent it further coiling and also
Single-strand help the DNA strands separate.
binding proteins

cleave and then reattach one or two of the DNA strands to relieve
Topoisomerase II tension created by the unwinding process

It mainly helps in repair of any damage with DNA. It has also helped in
removing RNA primer by replacing it by short DNA strand. It also serves
DNA polymerase I
to join or connect Okazaki fragments that were produced during
replication.
a prokaryotic replication enzyme that repairs damage to DNA, including
DNA polymerase II damage that occurs between replication events

It helps in replication from 5' -3' along with this it also help in
DNA polymerase III proofreading that's correct replication mistakes by means of its
exonuclease activity towards 3'-5'

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It is an enzyme which can connect two strands of DNA together by just

forming a bond between the phosphate group of one stand and
DNA ligase
deoxyribose group of another. It also joins the okazaki fragments
together.

12- List three similarities and three differences in the DNA replication between eukaryotes
and prokaryotes [6 marks]

The genomes of prokaryotes are much smaller than the genomes of eukaryotes. Usually only
one replication origin and only one replication bubble occur. Eukaryotic genomes are very long
and linear, necessitating thousands of origins and as many replication bubbles. Another
difference occurs in the enzymes that are involved in DNA replication and repair. The
polymerases identified in this section are found in bacteria. The DNA polymerases that are
found in eukaryotes are more varied, but they function in the same way.

13- What is the significance of telomeres? [2 marks]

Telomeres are important because they protect coding regions from being lost during
replication

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Olympiads: Grade 12 Biology Homework Name: ______________________ Mark: ____/54

14- Which of the following complementary strands would require the most energy to
separate into single strands? Explain your reasoning. [3 marks]

a) 5’ – AATTAACGTTA – 3’ b) 5’ – GGGCCGGCCTA – 3’
c)3’ – TTAATTGCAAT – 5’ d) 3’ – CCCGGCCGGAT – 5’

The amount of energy required to separate complementary DNA strands is directly

proportional to the number of hydrogen bonds between the strands. Guanine (G) and
cytosine (C) form three hydrogen bonds, while adenine (A) and thymine (T) form two
hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the complementary strand with the most G-C base pairs
will require the most energy to separate and the answer would be b)

15. Compare and contrast purine and pyrimidines. [3 marks]

Both purines and pyrimidines are nitrogenous bases, which means that they contain
nitrogen atoms. also Both contain a ring structure that contains at least one atom other
than carbon. However, Purines have a two-ringed structure, while pyrimidines have a
single-ringed structure, Purines contain four nitrogen atoms, while pyrimidines contain
two nitrogen atoms and Purines are larger than pyrimidines.