DNA Structure

DNA consists of two molecules that are arranged into a ladder-like structure called a Double Helix. A molecule of DNA is made up of millions of tiny subunits called Nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of: 1. Phosphate group 2. Pentose sugar
3. Nitrogenous base

Nucleotides
Phosphate

Nitrogenous Base Pentose Sugar

Nucleotides
The phosphate and sugar form the backbone

of the DNA molecule, whereas the bases form the rungs.

There are four types of nitrogenous bases.

Nucleotides
A T

Adenine

Thymine

Cytosine

Guanine

Nucleotides
Each base will only bond with one other

specific base.
Adenine (A)
Thymine (T) Cytosine (C) Guanine (G)

Form a base pair.

Form a base pair.

DNA Structure
Because of this complementary base pairing,

the order of the bases in one strand determines the order of the bases in the other strand.

A C
T C

T
G A G

A
G T

T C
A

DNA Structure
To crack the genetic code found in DNA we

need to look at the sequence of bases.

The bases are arranged in triplets called

codons. AGG-CTC-AAG-TCC-TAG TCC-GAG-TTC-AGG-ATC

DNA Structure
A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a protein.
Each unique gene has a unique sequence of

bases.

This unique sequence of bases will code for the

production of a unique protein.

It is these proteins and combination of proteins

that give us a unique phenotype.

DNA Gene
Protein

Trait

RNA (RIBONUCLEIC ACID)

Function:
All traits you have due to proteins of amino acids Genes contain blueprints to make protein Ribosomes are site of protein synthesis RNA reads blueprints & makes protein

Structure:
Single Strand

Bases = adenine, guanine, cytosine, URACIL (replaces T)

Protein Synthesis
Proteins are made using

the DNA code RNA is used to decode and make new proteins
Uses uracil instead of

thymine (AU)

mRNA copies the code and

moves into the cytoplasm tRNA brings amino acids to the mRNA to build the protein chain

Gene Expression:
Transcription: RNA copy of gene made
Translation: Proteins made DNA Transcription RNA Translation PROTEIN

PRACTICE
DNA = ATCGATAC Complementary DNA = mRNA = TAGCTATG

AUCGAUAC

DNA = TCCGTACG Complementary DNA = mRNA = AGGCATGC UCCGUACG

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS (TRANSLATION)

The Genetic Code
Every 3 nucleotides code for specific amino acid; triplet or codon Genetic code is universal; same in all orgs

tRNA anticodon is complementary to mRNA codon; picks up amino acids

Protein Synthesis

THE GENETIC CODE mRNA CODONS

Extra Credit Assignment Due 2/5 (R) & 2/6 (P)

Draw a comic strip

showing how proteins are made from DNA: