1. DNA
Structure

2. DNA: The Genetic Material
Genes: The instructions for inherited traits; made up of DNA.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the information that determines inherited characteristics.

4. The Shape of the Molecule
DNA is a very long molecule.
The basic shape is like a twisted ladder or zipper.
This is called a double helix.
{Show students a model of the double helix. Explain what a spiral is and a helix is.}

5. DNA Structure
A molecule of DNA is made up of millions of tiny subunits called Nucleotides.
A nucleotide consists of:
Phosphate group
Ribose sugar
Nitrogenous base

6. Nucleotides
Phosphate
Nitrogenous
Base
Pentose
Sugar

7. Nucleotides
The phosphate and sugar form the backbone of the DNA molecule, whereas the bases form the “rungs”.

8. The 4 Nitrogenous Bases A
Adenine T
Thymine C
Cytosine G
Guanine

10. Complementary Base pair: each base has a match

11. Nucleotides Each base will only bond with one other specific base.
Adenine (A)
Thymine (T)
Cytosine (C)
Guanine (G)
Form a base pair.
Form a base pair.

12. Hydrogen Bonds C N O
Hydrogen bonds hold them together!

13. Watson and Crick

14. DNA Replication

15. DNA Replication
DNA is made up of 2 strands of complementary base pairs
A –T and C – G
If DNA are separated, it can serve as a pattern to make a new strand!
DNA Replication: Process of making a new copy of DNA

16. DNA Replication
DNA Helicase – An enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix during DNA replication.
DNA Polymerase – An enzyme that helps in the formation of the DNA molecule.

21. RNA
In RNA Thymine is replaced by Uracil
A-U (RNA)
A-T (DNA)

23. Transcription
Transcription: RNA is made from the complementary DNA strand.
This type of RNA is called messenger RNA or mRNA
Copying (transcribing) notes from the board (DNA) to a notebook (RNA).

24. Translation
Translation – Takes the three-letter codons of mRNA code for an amino acid.

26. A codon is a three-base word that codes for one amino acid.

28. Mutation
A change in the structure or amount of the genetic material of an organism.

29. Deletion: a piece of a chromosome is lost.
Duplication: a piece remains attached to the chromosome after meiosis.
Inversion: a piece reattaches to the original chromosome, but in a reverse direction.
Translocation: When a chromosome piece ends up in a completely different chromosome.