1. Cells, DNA and Chromosomes

2. Cells Cells are the building blocks of all living organisms.
All cells (plant or animal) contain certain common structures.
Each cell has a control centre, the nucleus.
The nucleus contains the genetic material, known as DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid).
This genetic material is packed in structures called chromosomes.

3. Cells
On the DNA are the instructions for the growth and development of the entire organism.
This is known as the Genetic code.

4. Chromosomes
Chromosomes are long thread-like structures found in the nucleus of all cells.
Each member of a species has the same number of chromosomes.

5. Chromosome Numbers Species # Common fruit fly 8 Guinea Pig 64 Dove 78
Garden snail 54
Earthworm 36
Fern
1200
Domestic cat 38
Domestic pig
Laboratory mouse 40
Laboratory rat 42
Rabbit 44
Pineapple 50
Hare 46
Human
Gorillas, Chimpanzees 48
Domestic sheep
Cauliflower 18
Cow 60
Donkey 62
Horse
Potato
Kingfisher
132
Goldfish
Yeast 32

6. Chromosomes
Chromosomes from different species are different in shape and size.
Chromosomes are made up of DNA and proteins called Histones.
Chromosomes come in pairs, of similar shape and size, called homologous pairs.
Humans have 23 homologous pairs of chromosomes.

7. Chromosomes
The 2 chromosomes of a homologous pair carry genetic information for the same characteristics.
One chromosome of each pair is inherited from the male parent and the other from the female parent.
The part of a chromosome that carries the information for one trait (characteristic) is called a gene.

8. Chromosomes

9. Karyotype
Chromosomes can be stained and grouped into their pairs to give a Karyotype.

10. DNA
All the genetic information a cell needs to grow, function and reproduce is coded within the cell’s DNA.
DNA carried the information for which cells grow, when they grow, when and what chemicals to make, which cells make hair, feathers or fur and the colour and texture.
Even some behaviours are coded for in the DNA e.g. what sort of nest a bird will build.

11. DNA DNA is in the shape of a double helix (like a twisted ladder)
Each rung of the “ladder” is made up of two bases
There are 4 different bases : Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C)
the combination of bases on adjacent rungs make up the genetic code
The sides of the “ladder” are made up of phosphate and sugar (deoxyribose) molecules.

12. DNA The order of the bases forms the genetic code.
The bases are complimentary:
A pairs with T
G pairs with C
This is the base pairing rule.
AGC TTC GAT CCA CTG
TCG AAG CTA GGT GAC

13. DNA

14. Proteins
The sequence of bases or genetic code tells the cell what substances to make so that the cell can live, grow and divide.
Three bases code for one amino acid.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
A gene consists of a sequence of bases that code for a specific amino acid sequence that makes a protein.

15. Proteins Therefore, each gene codes for a protein.
Proteins are vital, they:
Form structures like skin, bone and hair
Make up enzymes which control the chemical reactions in cells.

16. Genes
A gene carries the genetic code for the proteins that determine a particular characteristic.
E.g. the ability to roll your tongue or hair colour.
Each chromosome contains many genes.
The location of a gene on a chromosome is called the locus (plural – loci)

17. Alleles Alleles are alternative forms of a gene.
They code for the same characteristic but they have a slightly different order of bases so they cause a different trait.
E.g. brown eyes or blue eyes