1. DNA: The Molecule of Life

2. Where is DNA located? Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic cell in the nucleus
long strands called chromatin
Prokaryotic cell
in the cytoplasm
circular rings called plasmids

3. DNA has 2 primary functions:
Protein synthesis
Passing on the genetic code

4. DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
ALL living things contain DNA!!!
DNA is specific to each and every organism!!
Made up of individual units called nucleotides (monomer of nucleic acids)

5. Nucleotide 3 part monomer: Phosphate group
5 carbon sugar molecule (deoxyribose)
Nitrogenous base

6. Nitrogenous Bases There are 4 nitrogenous bases found in DNA:
adenine > pairs with thymine
thymine > pairs with adenine
guanine > pairs with cytosine
cytosine > pairs with guanine

8. Nitrogenous Bases There are two major groups of nitrogenous bases:
Purines
double ringed compounds
adenine & guanine
Pyrimidines
single ringed compounds
thymine & cytosine

9. DNA Structure DNA is composed of 2 complementary strands
DNA resembles a spiral staircase
Shape is known as a double helix
The “backbone” is made of the 5 carbon sugar and phosphate molecules
The “rungs of the ladder” are the nitrogen bases