UNIT 1 TOPIC 2

GENES AND HEALTH

NUCLEIC ACIDS
molecules of cells code containing information genetic code. 2 types : DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) Built up from units called NUCLEOTIDES. Contain 3 substance combined together
Information

NITROGENOUS BASE PENTOSE SUGAR PHOSPHORIC ACID

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RNA AND DNA

RNA Short in length DNA Very long strands

The nucleotides contain ribose

Chemical make-up: cytosine, Guanine, adenine and uracil Single stranded 3 functional types : mRNA, tRNA and rRNA

The nucleotides contain deoxyribose

Chemical make-up: cytosine, Guanine, adenine and Thymine Double stranded helix No other functional types

HISTORY!

Friedrich Miescher, isolated something no one had ever seen before from the nuclei of cells. He called the compound "nuclein." This is today called nucleic acid, the "NA" in DNA (deoxyribo-nucleic-acid) and RNA (ribo-nucleic-acid). Czech monk Gregor Mendel, had finished a series of experiments with peas - show that certain traits in the peas, such as their shape or color, were inherited in different packages - call genes. American scientist Oswald Avery managed to transfer the ability to cause disease from one strain of bacteria to another - proved that genes were made up of nucleic acid. Watson and Crick used stick-and-ball models to test their ideas on the possible structure of DNA

HISTORY!

Linus pauling showed that polypeptide chains are often held in the shape of -helix by hydrogen bonds that could be broken by moderate heating. Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, who were using X-ray diffraction to understand the physical structure of the DNA molecule Maurice Wilkins passed the information gathered by Rosalind Franklin to James Watson and Francis Crick Watson and Crick helix shape, measuring 3.4 nm every complete turn, structure maintained by hydrogen bonds, 2 set of base pairs that are roughly same size fitted the measured dimension ( 2 purines were too large and 2 pyrimidine were too small), base pair occupied 0.34nm, so 10 pairs makes 1 complete twist. DNA molecule is able to "unzip" into two pieces. One new molecule is formed from each half-ladder, and due to the specific pairing this gives rise to two identical daughter copies from each parent molecule Reproduction!

How DNA copies itself

In

order for a genetic code to be passed down DNA copy itself identically! Replication: a process that takes place in the interphase nucleus, before nuclear division. DNA unwind H bond must be broken 2 helix to separate using an enzyme HELICASE Both strands acts as templates new nucleotide with appropriate base will line up at the exposed helix strands BASE PAIRING 2 strands formed COMPLEMENTARY strands Fit only if sugar molecules are attached to point in opposite directions strands are said to be ANTIPARALLEL

 The

enzyme DNA polymerase -moves along the exposed DNA strand, joining newly arrived nucleotides into a new DNA strand that is complementary to the template. Each strands winds up double helix one strand of each new double helix came from the original chromosome and one is newly synthesized strand this arrangement is known as SEMI-CONSERVATIVE REPLICATION. DNA polymerase ensure the appropriate base pair is formed for the template. (conservative replication: an entirely new double strand is formed alongside the original double helix DNA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teV62zrm2P0&NR=1

THE EVIDENCE FOR DNA REPLICATION

MESELSON AND STAHL EXPERIMENT USING CULTURE BACTERIUM Escherichia coli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfnDVV518es