Unit 11 DNA

1. Unit 11 DNA

2. Vocabulary • Deoxyribonucleic acid • Proteins • Amino acids • Nucleic bases • DNA replication • Replication Fork • DNA polymerase • mDNA • PCR (term & define) • RFLP (term & define) • STR (term & define) • CODIS • Probability • Somatic cell • Biotechnologist • Geneticist • Biochemist

3. Structure of DNA • DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid • Made of three parts: • Phosphate chain: forms the “backbone” of the DNA ladder-like structure • Deoxyribose chain: sugar derivative that attaches the phosphate to the nucleic base • Nucleic base: 4 different bases, form the “rung” of the ladder. They always pair with the other base: • Adanine-thymine • Cytosine-guanine • Function: DNA holds the recipie or “code” for proteins. Proteins do all the work in our bodies. • Proteins are built from amino acids.

5. DNA replication • Occurs at multiple locations on the same strand at the same time • Occurs in both directions along the strand • “Replication forks” are where the separation and replication are taking place • Enzymes “unzip” the DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between nucleic acid bases • The new/duplicate strand is pieced together by an enzymes called DNA polymerase. It also proofreads the new strand for accuracy.

7. DNA & mDNA • DNA refers to DNA found in all body (somatic) cells. It is also called “nuclear DNA” • mDNA refers to the DNA found the mitochondria organelle of each cell. • DNA, or nuclear DNA, is derived from the parents – half from the mother and half from the father. • mDNA