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02 Class 6 Worksheet Alien DNA

The document describes analyzing nucleic acids found in a Mars sample that are similar to but not identical to DNA on Earth. The alien nucleic acids have a double-stranded structure with six nitrogen bases paired between strands. Tests are conducted to determine if the alien material has a structure and replication mechanism similar to genetic systems on Earth. Results find the alien material has a double-helix structure of nucleotides like DNA. Its replication produces two molecules with mirrored sequences of new nucleotides added to each strand.

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Nathan Monson
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463 views2 pages

02 Class 6 Worksheet Alien DNA

The document describes analyzing nucleic acids found in a Mars sample that are similar to but not identical to DNA on Earth. The alien nucleic acids have a double-stranded structure with six nitrogen bases paired between strands. Tests are conducted to determine if the alien material has a structure and replication mechanism similar to genetic systems on Earth. Results find the alien material has a double-helix structure of nucleotides like DNA. Its replication produces two molecules with mirrored sequences of new nucleotides added to each strand.

Uploaded by

Nathan Monson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nucleic Acids Worksheet: Alien DNA

Nathan Monson u0995597


Student Name and UID: _________________________________________________

Scenario from pre class: Initial analysis of the Mars sample reveals the presence of
eukaryotic, unicellular life in a sample. Additional analysis indicates the presence of
double-stranded nucleic acids similar, although not identical, to DNA found in eukaryotic
organisms on Earth. The alien nucleic acids consist of two strands of nucleotides bonded
together, with the sugar-phosphates on the outside of the structure. Six nitrogen bases
located on the interior of the double-stranded nucleic acid are identified as: isoAdenine
(iA), Uracil (U), isoCytosine (iC), isoThymine (iT), Adenine (A) and betaGuanine (bG).
Data also suggests a complementary base-pairing between nitrogen bases of the two
strands with the following base paring rules:
o iA complementary with U
o iT complementary with A
o bG complementary with iC

With great anticipation your team conducts tests on the alien nucleic acids.
The most fundamental questions to be answered include:
A. Is the structure of the material similar to genetic systems of Earth?
B. What is the mechanism of replication?

Testing results of Alien DNA sample: Initial analysis finds that the alien genetic
material is a double-helix composed of nucleotides, with sugar-phosphates on the outside
of the molecule and nitrogenous bases on the interior. The bases in the nucleotides of
the alien genetic material are similar, but not identical, to those found in genetic systems
on Earth as shown in the figure below.

1. Draw a diagram of earth DNA. Compare it to alien DNA


shown to the left. Note down the similarities and the
differences between the alien DNA and DNA on earth.

3’ 5’ The earth DNA doesn’t


contain any iT, iA, bG,
P A T
or iC; and the earth DNA
G C contains different Carbon counts.
T A
C G
A T
T A
G C
A T
5’ 3’
1
2. Below are results of tests to figure out the nature of the alien DNA replication process.
Shown in the diagram are the two alien DNA molecules that are produced after replication of
the alien genetic material shown in Q1 (*Note “bold and underlined” represent new
nucleotides). Draw replication products of earth DNA showing new nucleotides as
underlined and bold. Note down the similarities and the differences between the process
of replication of alien DNA and DNA on earth.

5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
iT - A iT - A
U - iA U - iA
A - iT A - iT
iA - U iA - U
iC - bG iC - bG
U - iA U - iA
bG - iC bG - iC
iT - A iT - A
iC - bG iC - bG
3’ 3’ 3’ 3’
3’ 5’
A T
See diagram in question 1. G C *I can’t get anything to
bold and underline
T A
without it applying to the
C G entire diagram.
A T
T A
G C
A T
5’ 3’

Similarly to the alien DNA, the new nucleotides formed during replication will
be mirrored to the original.

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