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GeorgiaBiology

SB2: Molecular Genetics

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we use our knowledge of DNA in forensics, medicine, and agriculture, and what concerns does that raise?

Describe the uses and ethical considerations of biotechnology in forensics, medicine, and agriculture, including genetic engineering, GMOs, gene therapy, cloning, and DNA fingerprinting (GSE SB2.c).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on biotechnology: genetic engineering and GMOs, gene therapy, cloning, stem cells, DNA fingerprinting and PCR/gel electrophoresis, their uses in forensics, medicine, and agriculture, and the ethical questions they raise.
12 min answer →

How does the structure of DNA and RNA suit their job of storing and carrying genetic information?

Describe the structure of DNA and RNA, including the double helix, nucleotides, and complementary base pairing, and compare DNA and RNA (GSE SB2.a).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on the structure of DNA and RNA: the double helix, nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, base), complementary base pairing (A-T, C-G, A-U), the antiparallel strands, and the key differences between DNA and RNA.
12 min answer →

How does a cell copy its DNA so that each new cell gets a complete, accurate set?

Explain the process of DNA replication, including its semiconservative nature, the role of complementary base pairing, and why accurate copying matters (GSE SB2.a).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on DNA replication: the semiconservative model, how the strands separate and serve as templates, the role of complementary base pairing and DNA polymerase, when replication happens, and why accuracy matters.
12 min answer →

How can a change in DNA lead to a change in an organism's traits?

Construct an argument that mutations (changes in DNA sequence and chromosomal alterations) may result in phenotypic variation, and classify gene mutations as beneficial, harmful, or neutral (GSE SB2.b).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on mutations: point mutations (substitution, insertion, deletion), frameshift effects, chromosomal mutations, causes (mutagens and replication errors), and how mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral sources of variation.
12 min answer →

How does the information in a gene get turned into a protein?

Explain how genetic information is expressed through transcription (DNA to mRNA) and translation (mRNA to protein), including the roles of mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes, codons, and the genetic code (GSE SB2.a).
A Georgia Milestones Biology EOC answer on protein synthesis: transcription of DNA into mRNA, translation of mRNA into a protein, the roles of mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes, and codons, and how to read the genetic code from a codon chart.
13 min answer →