AP Biology · Unit 6
Gene Expression and Regulation
In short
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation in AP Biology covers 8 topics: DNA and RNA Structure, DNA Replication, Transcription and RNA Processing, Translation and 4 more. Open each one for what you need to know, a self-check list and how it is tested on the exam.
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What is in Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation?
Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation
6.1 DNA and RNA Structure
- I can explain that genetic information is stored in DNA and sometimes RNA, and contrast prokaryotic circular chromosomes with eukaryotic linear chromosomes.
- I can describe plasmids as extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- I can identify purines and pyrimidines by their ring structures and describe their specific base pairing rules.
6.2 DNA Replication
- I can explain how DNA replication ensures continuity of hereditary information, including the roles of helicase, topoisomerase, DNA polymerase, and ligase.
6.3 Transcription and RNA Processing
- I can explain how the sequence and structure of RNA bases determine the functions of mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.
- I can describe how RNA polymerases use a single template strand of DNA to synthesize a newly formed RNA molecule during transcription.
- I can describe the enzyme-mediated modifications that eukaryotic mRNA transcripts undergo, including the addition of a poly-A tail, a GTP cap, and alternative splicing.
6.4 Translation
- I can describe where translation occurs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- I can explain that translation occurs simultaneously with transcription in prokaryotes.
- I can describe the steps of translation (initiation, elongation, termination) and the roles of mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, and codons.
- I can explain how retroviruses use reverse transcriptase to flow genetic information from RNA to DNA.
6.5 Regulation of Gene Expression
6.6 Gene Expression and Cell Specialization
6.7 Mutations
- I can describe how alterations in a DNA sequence (point, frameshift, nonsense, silent mutations) can change the type or amount of protein produced and the resulting phenotype.
- I can explain how errors in DNA replication, DNA repair, or external factors can cause random mutations, and how their effect depends on the environmental context.
- I can explain how errors in mitosis or meiosis, such as nondisjunction, can result in changes in chromosome number (e.g., aneuploidy) and lead to developmental limitations or genetic disorders.
- I can explain how changes in genotype, including horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes and viral recombination, contribute to genetic variation that is subject to natural selection.
6.8 Biotechnology
- I can describe the basic principles and applications of gel electrophoresis, PCR, bacterial transformation, and DNA sequencing.
Gene Expression and Regulation: common questions
What is in Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation?
It covers 8 topics: 6.1 DNA and RNA Structure; 6.2 DNA Replication; 6.3 Transcription and RNA Processing; 6.4 Translation; 6.5 Regulation of Gene Expression; 6.6 Gene Expression and Cell Specialization; 6.7 Mutations; 6.8 Biotechnology.
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