Activity #42: DNA STRUCTURE EACH CELL IN YOUR BODY CONTAINS DNA…BUT WHAT IS IT? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

What is DNA? DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid stores and passes on genetic information within cells from one generation to the next James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin are four of the scientists credited with the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule.

Rosalind Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIP0lYrdirI As you watch the video, think about what her contribution was to the discovery of DNA’s structure.

DNA Structure Double Helix= twisted ladder shape of DNA

What is DNA made up of? The sides - deoxyribose sugar and phosphates. The rungs (steps) -pairs of nitrogen bases

What is DNA made up of? There are 4 nitrogen bases in DNA: Adenine (A) Guanine (G) Cytosine (C) Thymine (T) Adenine always pairs with Thymine Cytosine always pairs with Guanine

DNA Recap Video https://vimeo.com/60747882

Forms of DNA: Copy the chart below into your notebook DNA FORM DESCRIPTION PICTURE Chromatin Chromosome Gene

Different Forms of DNA Chromatin Chromosome Gene DNA FORM DESCRIPTION PICTURE Chromatin Uncoiled strands of DNA and proteins Coils up to form Chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell Chromosome Tightly coiled DNA in an “X” shape DNA takes this form right before its about to divide Gene A small segment of DNA Unit of heredity A sequence of As, Ts, Cs, and Gs that code for traits