1. DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid

2. DNA is called:
the blueprint for life!

3. What is DNA?
DNA contains the instructions for making proteins within the cell.
The information that determines an organism’s traits.
Stores and passes on genetic information from one generation to the next.
DNA produces proteins which gives it “The power”
Many things contain and are made of proteins.
Skin, hair, bones, etc are made of proteins.

4. Why do we study DNA? 1. It tells about life on earth
2. Medical benefits and research
3. To enhance food crops and farming animals and plant

5. Definitions
Chromosomes are a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
Genes are:a unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.

6. What does it look like:
The DNA molecule looks like a twisted ladder. It is called a double helix.

7. What is DNA? Cont’d Enzymes are special proteins.
Enzymes control chemical reactions needed for life.
DNA contains all the information for making all and any proteins for human life.

8. DNA Structure: DNA is made of repeating subunits called nucleotides.
Nucleotides have three parts:
Simple sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogen base

9. 1 Nucleotide
Phosphate Group
Nitrogen Base
Sugar (Deoxyribose)

10. DNA Structure The simple sugar is called deoxyribose.
The phosphate group is made of phosphate and oxygen.

11. DNA Structure Four possible Nitrogen Bases: Thymine (T) Adenine (A)
Cytosine (C)
Guanine (G)

12. DNA Nucleotides join together to form long chains.
“Backbone”
Nucleotides join together to form long chains.
The phosphate group of one nucleotide joins together with the deoxyribose sugar of an adjacent nucleotide.
“Teeth”

13. Adenine & Thymine (A-T)
DNA
Nitrogen bases pair up
Adenine & Thymine (A-T)
Cytosine & Guanine
(C-G)
Complementary bases

14. Watson & Crick and Franklin, 1953
Rosalind Franklin is the first one to see the DNA
Watson and Crick Proposed DNA is put together like a “twisted zipper”
DNA = 2 chains of nucleotides joined by nitrogen bases

15. Watson & Crick, 1953 Double Helix
Double = DNA has two strands
Helix = twisted like a spring, “spiral”

17. Importance of Sequencing
The sequence of the four different nucleotides determines what organism is created.
For instance: T-A-A-G-C-A is different than A-T-C-A-A-G
Another example: E-A-R-T-H is different than
H-E-A-R-T
vs.

18. Importance of Sequencing
The more similar the order of nucleotides are, the closer the relationship between 2 organisms

20. 1 Nucleotide
Phosphate Group
Nitrogen Base
Sugar (Deoxyribose)