Biology (Separate Science) · GCSE · AQA · AQA GCSE Biology - Higher Tier - (8461) · Specification point · 4.6.1.5 · Inheritance, variation and evolution · Reproduction
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4.6.1.5 DNA structure (biology only)
| Content | Key opportunities for skills development |
|---|---|
Students should be able to describe DNA as a polymer made from four different nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of a common sugar and phosphate group with one of four different bases attached to the sugar. DNA contains four bases, A, C, G and T. A sequence of three bases is the code for a particular amino acid. The order of bases controls the order in which amino acids are assembled to produce a particular protein. | |
The long strands of DNA consist of alternating sugar and phosphate sections. Attached to each sugar is one of the four bases. The DNA polymer is made up of repeating nucleotide units. | WS 1.2 Interpret a diagram of DNA structure but will not be required to reproduce it. |
(HT only) Students should be able to: • recall a simple description of protein synthesis • explain simply how the structure of DNA affects the protein made • describe how genetic variants may influence phenotype: a) in coding DNA by altering the activity of a protein: and b) in non-coding DNA by altering how genes are expressed. |
(HT only) In the complementary strands a C is always linked to a G on the opposite strand and a T to an A. |
(HT only) Students are not expected to know or understand the structure of mRNA, tRNA, or the detailed structure of amino acids or proteins. |
(HT only) Students should be able to explain how a change in DNA structure may result in a change in the protein synthesised by a gene. |
(HT only) Proteins are synthesised on ribosomes, according to a template. Carrier molecules bring specific amino acids to add to the growing protein chain in the correct order. |
(HT only) When the protein chain is complete it folds up to form a unique shape. This unique shape enables the proteins to do their job as enzymes, hormones or forming structures in the body such as collagen. |
(HT only) Mutations occur continuously. Most do not alter the protein, or only alter it slightly so that its appearance or function is not changed. | WS 1.2 Modelling insertions and deletions in chromosomes to illustrate mutations. |
(HT only) A few mutations code for an altered protein with a different shape. An enzyme may no longer fit the substrate binding site or a structural protein may lose its strength. |
(HT only) Not all parts of DNA code for proteins. Non-coding parts of DNA can switch genes on and off, so variations in these areas of DNA may affect how genes are expressed. |