UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE (P STREAM)

SESSION 201901

TUTORIAL
BASIC MOLECULES OF CELLS III
FHSB1214 BIOLOGY I
3
(Source: Final examination, Sept 2018)
Q1. Figure 1 shows a sequence of monomers in a polypeptide chain.

Figure 1

Based on Figure 1, answer the following questions

(a) Identify the monomer of the polypeptide chain. (1 mark)

(b) State how a sequence of monomers is determined in a polypeptide chain.

(1 mark)

(c) Leucine (leu) is hydrophobic while serine (ser) is hydrophilic. State the part of
a monomer that determines its chemical properties. (1 mark)

(d) Describe how the polypeptide chain shown in Figure 1 could give rise to a three
dimensional structure of a protein. (4 marks)

1
(Source: Final Examination, April 2019)
Q2. Figure 2 shows part of an α-helix of a polypeptide chain commonly found in many
types of protein.

Figure 2

Based on Figure 2, answer the following questions.

(i) Name the monomer of a polypeptide chain. (1 mark)

(ii) Name the level of the polypeptide chain. (1 mark)

(iii) In globular proteins, the polypeptide chain bends and folds to give a more
compact shape, Name THREE (3) types of bond that help to maintain the
tertiary structure of the globular proteins. (3 marks)

(iv) Name ONE (1) proteins that can be found in the human body. (1 mark)

(Source: Final Examination, Dec 2017)

Q3. (a) (i) Describe the structure of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). (3 marks)

(ii) Identify the missing component of a nucleoside as compared to a

nucleotide molecule. (1 mark)

2
 (b) List TWO (2) functions of DNA polymerase. (2 marks)

(c) With regards to genetic code, briefly explain the following terms:

(i) Redundant (1 mark)

(ii) Unambiguous (1 mark)

(iii) Universal (1 mark)

(Source: Final Examination, May 2018)

Q4. DNA dictates protein synthesis by encoding up to 20 different types of amino acids.

(a) State the part which differs from one amino acid to another. (1 mark)

(b) Name the monomer of DNA. (1 mark)

(c) Describe how two strands of DNA polymers are linked together. (3 marks)

(d) Copy and complete Table 1 by writing the word transcription or translation
next to each of the statement. (4marks)
Table 1
Statement Stage of protein synthesis
tRNA is involved

Start at promoter and end at

terminator
Ribosomal subunits come together

RNA polymerase is involved

3
(Source: Final Examination, Sept 2017 truncated)
Q5. Figure 2 shows the flow of genetic information in the building of a protein.

P Q
DNA mRNA polypeptide

Figure 2

(a) Name processes P and Q. (2 marks)

(b) Draw a labeled schematic diagram of the monomer DNA. (2 marks)

(c) Supposed that the following base sequence is found in DNA:

5’‒ GTAGC ‒ 3’

State the complementary mRNA sequence transcribed from it. (2 marks)

(d) Contrast the structural features of DNA with that of mRNA by completing
Table 2. (3 marks)
Table 2
Structural features DNA RNA
Number of strands

Types of bases present

Name of pentose sugar

present