# A spider produces silk protein in specialised glands. The silk protein has a specific sequence of amino acids that gives it its properties. Explain how the genetic information in a spider's cells controls the production of silk protein.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 5.1 Genetic control of protein synthesis · Explain · 5 marks

> Spider silk is one of the strongest natural materials known. The silk is made of protein and is produced in silk glands found in the spider's abdomen. Scientists are interested in how the spider's genetic information leads to the production of this specific protein.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific amino acid sequence
2. The DNA/gene is found in the nucleus of the cell
3. mRNA carries the genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes (transcription)
4. At the ribosome, the mRNA sequence is translated into an amino acid sequence (translation)
5. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the structure/shape of the silk protein and therefore its properties/function

## Key terms

- [gene](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gene)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-spider-produces-silk-protein-in-a777fa21) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.