If the sequence of bases in the template strand of a DNA molecule is 3' ATCGCTCC 5', what is the sequence of bases in the RNA that is transcribed from this molecule?

Question

A.  3' UAGCGAGG 5'
B.  3' TAGCGAGG 5'
C.  5' UAGCGAGG 3'
D.  5' TAGCGAGG 3'
E.  5' AUCGCUCC 3'

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

Gather Content
· What do you already know about transcription?

Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
 Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process · Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

C.  5' UAGCGAGG 3'

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses transcription.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o The template strand of the DNA is the strand used to make the RNA copy. The RNA is paired up with the template strand, so it is complementary to it, not the same.
        o The 3’ and 5’ designations show the directionality of each strand. The two paired strands go in opposite directions.

Gather Content
· What do you already know about transcription?
        o Transcription is the process of making an RNA copy off the DNA.
        o After the DNA opens up, one strand is the coding strand, the other is the template strand.
        o The template strand is the one directly used to make the RNA, by base-pairing. Therefore it is the complementary sequence to the RNA, not the same sequence.

Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Is the RNA the same as the template strand, or is it complementary to the template strand of DNA? The RNA is complementary to the template strand. So you can rule out the answer that shows the RNA with the same sequence as the template strand (5’ AUCGCUCC 3’).
        o What is different about the bases in RNA compared to DNA? RNA uses U instead of T. So we can rule out the answers that include T’s in the RNA.
        o What is the directionality of the RNA compared to the template strand? The RNA is formed by base-pairing to the template strand, so the strands run in opposite directions. You can rule out the answers that would base pair with both strands running 3’ to 5’.
 Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o We know that the RNA is produced by base-pairing to the tempate strand, with strand directionality in the opposite direction, and using U’s instead of Ts.
        o Thus the RNA will be 5’ UAGCGAGG 3’.

Reflect on Process · Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to name the RNA that would result from a given template DNA sequence.
        o The question required you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
        o Did you recognize that the RNA is complementary to the template strand, not the same?
        o Did you remember that RNA contains U, not T?
        o Did you remember that the paired strands are oriented in opposite directions, so the RNA should read 5’ to 3’?