DNA replication and mRNA transcription process illustration.
Diagram showing DNA double helix and messenger RNA transcription process with labeled components.
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Step-by-step solution for: DNA Coloring (KEY) by Biologycorner worksheets library
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: DNA Coloring (KEY) by Biologycorner worksheets library
Let’s look at the diagram carefully.
On the left, we see a double-stranded DNA molecule. The two strands are held together by base pairs: A (adenine) pairs with T (thymine), and G (guanine) pairs with C (cytosine). You can see the letters on each side — for example, where one strand has “A”, the other has “T”; where one has “G”, the other has “C”.
On the right, we see a single strand labeled “Messenger RNA” (mRNA). It looks like it was made from one of the DNA strands — specifically, the top strand of the DNA on the left seems to be the template used to make this mRNA.
In RNA, there is no thymine (T). Instead, uracil (U) replaces T. So when DNA’s A is copied into RNA, it becomes U. When DNA’s T is copied, it becomes A. G still pairs with C, and C still pairs with G — same as in DNA.
Now let’s match the bases:
Looking at the top part of the DNA double helix (left side), if we take the top strand as the template (the one that’s being read to make mRNA), its sequence from top to bottom is:
- G
- A
- T
- C
- G
- A
Wait — actually, looking again, the mRNA on the right matches the bottom strand of the DNA? Let’s check.
Actually, in transcription, mRNA is made complementary to the template strand of DNA. That means:
If the DNA template strand has:
→ A → mRNA gets U
→ T → mRNA gets A
→ G → mRNA gets C
→ C → mRNA gets G
But in the diagram, the mRNA strand on the right has these bases (from top to bottom):
- G (green)
- A (brown arrow)
- U (yellow)
- C (purple)
- G (green)
- A (brown arrow)
Wait — let’s line up the DNA template strand with the mRNA.
Look at the DNA double helix. The strand that is being used as the template is the one that is *complementary* to the mRNA.
So if mRNA has: G - A - U - C - G - A
Then the DNA template strand must have been: C - T - A - G - C - T
Because:
- mRNA G ← DNA C
- mRNA A ← DNA T
- mRNA U ← DNA A
- mRNA C ← DNA G
- mRNA G ← DNA C
- mRNA A ← DNA T
Now look at the DNA double helix on the left. Which strand has C-T-A-G-C-T?
Looking at the bottom strand of the DNA (from top to bottom):
Top half of DNA:
Left strand (blue backbone): G - A - T - C - G - A
Right strand (pink backbone): C - T - A - G - C - T ← this matches!
Yes! So the right strand of the DNA (with pink backbone) is the template strand. And the mRNA is built complementary to that.
Therefore, the mRNA sequence shown on the right is correct based on the DNA template.
But wait — the question isn’t stated. Since the user didn’t ask a specific question, but just uploaded an image, perhaps they want us to identify what process is shown or what the relationship is.
Given the context, and since the image shows DNA turning into mRNA, this is illustrating transcription.
Also, note that below the mRNA, there are free nucleotides floating around — some with U, some with A, etc. These are the building blocks used to build the mRNA strand.
So, putting it all together:
The diagram shows how messenger RNA (mRNA) is made from a DNA template during transcription. The mRNA strand is complementary to the DNA template strand, and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).
Final Answer:
This diagram illustrates transcription — the process where a segment of DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). The mRNA strand is built using the DNA template strand, following base-pairing rules: A in DNA pairs with U in RNA, T in DNA pairs with A in RNA, G pairs with C, and C pairs with G.
On the left, we see a double-stranded DNA molecule. The two strands are held together by base pairs: A (adenine) pairs with T (thymine), and G (guanine) pairs with C (cytosine). You can see the letters on each side — for example, where one strand has “A”, the other has “T”; where one has “G”, the other has “C”.
On the right, we see a single strand labeled “Messenger RNA” (mRNA). It looks like it was made from one of the DNA strands — specifically, the top strand of the DNA on the left seems to be the template used to make this mRNA.
In RNA, there is no thymine (T). Instead, uracil (U) replaces T. So when DNA’s A is copied into RNA, it becomes U. When DNA’s T is copied, it becomes A. G still pairs with C, and C still pairs with G — same as in DNA.
Now let’s match the bases:
Looking at the top part of the DNA double helix (left side), if we take the top strand as the template (the one that’s being read to make mRNA), its sequence from top to bottom is:
- G
- A
- T
- C
- G
- A
Wait — actually, looking again, the mRNA on the right matches the bottom strand of the DNA? Let’s check.
Actually, in transcription, mRNA is made complementary to the template strand of DNA. That means:
If the DNA template strand has:
→ A → mRNA gets U
→ T → mRNA gets A
→ G → mRNA gets C
→ C → mRNA gets G
But in the diagram, the mRNA strand on the right has these bases (from top to bottom):
- G (green)
- A (brown arrow)
- U (yellow)
- C (purple)
- G (green)
- A (brown arrow)
Wait — let’s line up the DNA template strand with the mRNA.
Look at the DNA double helix. The strand that is being used as the template is the one that is *complementary* to the mRNA.
So if mRNA has: G - A - U - C - G - A
Then the DNA template strand must have been: C - T - A - G - C - T
Because:
- mRNA G ← DNA C
- mRNA A ← DNA T
- mRNA U ← DNA A
- mRNA C ← DNA G
- mRNA G ← DNA C
- mRNA A ← DNA T
Now look at the DNA double helix on the left. Which strand has C-T-A-G-C-T?
Looking at the bottom strand of the DNA (from top to bottom):
Top half of DNA:
Left strand (blue backbone): G - A - T - C - G - A
Right strand (pink backbone): C - T - A - G - C - T ← this matches!
Yes! So the right strand of the DNA (with pink backbone) is the template strand. And the mRNA is built complementary to that.
Therefore, the mRNA sequence shown on the right is correct based on the DNA template.
But wait — the question isn’t stated. Since the user didn’t ask a specific question, but just uploaded an image, perhaps they want us to identify what process is shown or what the relationship is.
Given the context, and since the image shows DNA turning into mRNA, this is illustrating transcription.
Also, note that below the mRNA, there are free nucleotides floating around — some with U, some with A, etc. These are the building blocks used to build the mRNA strand.
So, putting it all together:
The diagram shows how messenger RNA (mRNA) is made from a DNA template during transcription. The mRNA strand is complementary to the DNA template strand, and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).
Final Answer:
This diagram illustrates transcription — the process where a segment of DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). The mRNA strand is built using the DNA template strand, following base-pairing rules: A in DNA pairs with U in RNA, T in DNA pairs with A in RNA, G pairs with C, and C pairs with G.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of dna coloring worksheet answers.