Question

biology mid-unit 2 25-26 (6 out of 17)
ne information below to answer questions 7 - 8.
students are practicing developing analogies in their
english language arts class. one student makes a
connection to their learning in biology class and says
that building a protein is similar to baking a cake.
while explaining their analogy, the student also claims that changing the dna will change the
structure and function of a protein. evaluate the student’s claim including evidence from the process
of gene expression to support your response.
enter your response here

Explanation:

To evaluate the claim, we analyze gene expression: DNA contains the genetic code (like a recipe) for proteins. During transcription, DNA is used to make mRNA, and during translation, mRNA is used to assemble amino acids into a protein (the protein's structure, determined by DNA, dictates its function). If DNA is changed (e.g., mutation), the mRNA sequence changes, which can alter the amino acid sequence of the protein. This change in structure can affect the protein's function (e.g., a misfolded protein may not function properly, like a cake with wrong ingredients not turning out right). So the claim is valid because DNA provides the instructions for protein structure/function, so altering DNA can change the protein's structure and thus its function.

Answer:

The student's claim is valid. DNA contains the instructions for protein synthesis (gene expression: transcription of DNA to mRNA, then translation of mRNA to assemble amino acids into a protein). A protein’s structure (determined by its amino acid sequence, encoded in DNA) dictates its function. Changing DNA (e.g., via mutation) changes the mRNA sequence, which can alter the amino acid sequence of the protein. This structural change can disrupt the protein’s function (e.g., a mutated hemoglobin gene can produce a non - functional hemoglobin protein, affecting oxygen transport). Thus, altering DNA can change a protein’s structure and function.