DNA Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) Genetic Information in the form of DNA is passed from parent to offspring. Genes are the code for each protein

DNA molecules are made of nucleotides Double stranded Double stranded DNA nucleotide = deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen containing base DNA nucleotide = deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogen containing base The sugar and phosphate of each nucleotide make up the backbone of the DNA The sugar and phosphate of each nucleotide make up the backbone of the DNA

Hydrogen bonds (weak) form between base pairs Hydrogen bonds (weak) form between base pairs Specifically: adenine- thymine and cytosine- guanine Specifically: adenine- thymine and cytosine- guanine Resembles a spiral staircase (double helix) Resembles a spiral staircase (double helix)

3 nucleotide sequences = code for one amino acid 3 nucleotide sequences = code for one amino acid twenty different amino acids twenty different amino acids Sequence of codes on DNA determines = genetic code Sequence of codes on DNA determines = genetic code

DNA replication (copying) Enzyme “unzips” DNA molecule base pairs Enzyme “unzips” DNA molecule base pairs As base pairs are exposed, new DNA nucleotides match up to the bases following the rules of base pairing (A-T, C-G) As base pairs are exposed, new DNA nucleotides match up to the bases following the rules of base pairing (A-T, C-G)

DNA conti… Once all exposed base pairs are “matched up”; you have two new double helix strands of DNA Once all exposed base pairs are “matched up”; you have two new double helix strands of DNA Each new strand has one half from the original strand and one newly created strand (there is no way to tell which is which) Each new strand has one half from the original strand and one newly created strand (there is no way to tell which is which)