Alpha-amanitin is a toxin from the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). This substance is a selective inhibitor of RNA polymerase II, stopping the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA), while having no direct effect on translation machinery such as ribosomes.
Describe how cells synthesize proteins starting from a gene in the DNA.
Explain why exposure to alpha-amanitin does not immediately cause all protein synthesis to cease, but does cause it to stop completely over a longer period.
Explain how the molecular structure of a gene determines the specific primary structure of the protein produced.
Practise OCR GCSE Biology What happens in cells (and what do cells need)? with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 96 questions, matched to the OCR GCSE Biology (J247) specification and written in the written papers style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.