1. The Function of DNA

2. Organelles and Proteins
The major functions of the cell are carried out in the organelles of the cell
They are like the cell’s organs
They process food, transport materials, help moves, etc.
Organelles carry out these functions using proteins
Organelles and Proteins

3. Proteins Proteins are molecules
Proteins carry out all of the functions inside the cell
They are a type of molecule called a polymer
Polymer – made up of the same, repeating part.
The repeating parts that make up a protein are called amino acids
There are 20 amino acids in nature

4. Proteins Proteins are made of amino acids
Amino Acids connect to each other making long chains
The chain of amino acids is a protein

5. Proteins There are 20 amino acids
The order they are connected is what determines the type of protein
Each type of protein does a different job inside of the cell.

6. DNA Sequence
The DNA sequence is the order the nitrogenous bases are attached
DNA stores information by its sequence
Much like a computer stores information in a sequence of 1’s and 0’s
This sequence determines how the cell will function.

7. DNA Sequence This sequence is used to make proteins
Proteins carry out all of the functions of the cell
DNA makes proteins so this is how it controls the cell

8. Transcription
DNA is first transcribed (rewritten) into RNA in the nucleus
RNA is Ribonucleic Acid
RNA is single stranded and looks like DNA
It replaces Thymine (T) with Uracil (U)
This process is called Transcription
The type of RNA in this process is called mRNA
mRNA is Messenger RNA

9. Transcription The mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the cytoplasm
When in the cytoplasm it will go to the Ribosomes

10. Translation The ribosome attaches to the mRNA
It then “reads” the mRNA in 3 letter sections called codons
Each codon represents an amino acid
Amino acids = building blocks of protein
tRNA brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome

11. Translation
The ribosome will then read the next 3 letter sequence (codon)
This represents a new amino acid
tRNA will bring this to the ribosome
The ribosome will connect the amino acids together
BOOM – protein!
This process is called Translation

12. Genes Genes are sections of DNA that code for a single protein
These are the sections that are transcribed (turned into mRNA) and then translated (read by ribosomes and made into proteins)

13. Genes to Proteins DNA makes genes Genes create proteins
The types of proteins determine how the cell will function
This is how DNA controls the function of the cell.
DNA is a recipe for all of the proteins in the cell

14. Genetic Code
The genetic code is the translation of DNA/RNA to Proteins.
It shows us what codons are used for specific amino acids

15. Genes These genes are passed down when a living thing reproduces
This means the offspring (children) will make the same proteins as the parents

16. Mutations
Sometimes a cell will make a mistake and change a nucleotide in the DNA
This change is called a mutation
Mutations can be neutral, harmful, and rarely beneficial
This depends on the change to the protein made

17. Cancer Cancer is typically caused by a mutation in the DNA
This make the cell function so differently that it will only have the information to copy itself and reproduce
This process happens more quickly and builds a large mass of improperly functioning cells

18. Viruses
Viruses hijack the processes of transcription and translation to do their work
Viruses are a protein that contains DNA or RNA
Viruses find a way to get their DNA or RNA into a cell
The cell reads it and makes the protein it codes for
That protein, is a new virus!
This process continues and releases viruses which then infect more cells

20. Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering is changing the genome (code) in a living thing.
This is done by taking a section of DNA that codes for a protein you want.
It is then put into a new cell’s DNA.
The organism made from this cell will have this gene and make this protein.