Download Basics of DNA

The Basics of DNA
DNA
• Deoxyribose sugar
• Phosphate bonds
• Nitrogen bases: (A, T, C, and G)
• A-T and G-C complementary pairing
• Double stranded (helix)
• Found only in nucleus
Genetic Code
• found in the order of the bases
• every 3 bases has 64 possible
combinations
• 3 billion base pairs per cell
RNA
• ribose sugar
• phosphate bonds
• bases: A, U, C, and G
• single strand
• copy of one strand of DNA (except
for U instead of T)
Transcription
• Process of copying RNA from
DNA
• Copy leaves the nucleus and goes
to ribosome
• Copy is called messenger RNA
(mRNA)
• mRNA now has the genetic code
also
• mRNA carries code in sets of
three bases (codons)
Translation
• Transfer RNA (tRNA) found at the
ribosome
• tRNA has set of three bases
(anticodon) that binds
complimentary to the codons on the
mRNA
• each carries a specific amino acid
• 20 different amino acids
• sets specific amino acid down at
specific spot to make a chain of
amino acids (protein or polypeptide)
Proteins
• are made as the tRNA places the
amino acids in a specific order
• tRNA is reading the code on the
mRNA to determine the amino
acid and order
• mRNA is a copy of DNA
• DNA is ultimate code for the
proteins that make us work.
• Web 1
• Web 2
Other Web Resources
• Making Connections
• Genetic Diseases
• DNA Basics
Mutations
What happens to the proteins, a thus your
traits, when the DNA is changed (mutated)?
1. Complete web activity
2. Complete the DNA: Blueprint of Life
activity
Evaluation
To see how well you get this material, answer
the scenario A Hairy Situation.
Turn in both the DNA: Blueprint of Life and
your response to the scenario.