1. Activity #42: DNA STRUCTURE
EACH CELL IN YOUR BODY CONTAINS DNA…BUT WHAT IS IT? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

2. What is DNA? DNA- Deoxyribonucleic acid
stores and passes on genetic information within cells from one generation to the next
James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin are four of the scientists credited with the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule.

3. Rosalind Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIP0lYrdirI
As you watch the video, think about what her contribution was to the discovery of DNA’s structure.

4. DNA Structure
Double Helix= twisted ladder shape of DNA

5. What is DNA made up of? The sides - deoxyribose sugar and phosphates.
The rungs (steps) -pairs of nitrogen bases

6. What is DNA made up of? There are 4 nitrogen bases in DNA:
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)
Thymine (T)
Adenine always pairs with Thymine
Cytosine always pairs with Guanine

8. DNA Recap Video

9. Forms of DNA: Copy the chart below into your notebook
DNA FORM
DESCRIPTION
PICTURE
Chromatin
Chromosome
Gene

10. Different Forms of DNA Chromatin Chromosome Gene DNA FORM DESCRIPTION
PICTURE
Chromatin
Uncoiled strands of DNA and proteins
Coils up to form Chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell
Chromosome
Tightly coiled DNA in an “X” shape
DNA takes this form right before its about to divide
Gene
A small segment of DNA
Unit of heredity
A sequence of As, Ts, Cs, and Gs that code for traits