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DNA and Chromsomes. Key Concept. Chromosomes are coiled up “packages” of DNA. Case Study. Listen to the following case study about Colin Pitchfork taken from “What is Life?” by Jay Phelan. DNA and CHROMOSOMES. When cell is about to divide, DNA coils up into CHROMOSOMES .
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Key Concept • Chromosomes are coiled up “packages” of DNA.
Case Study • Listen to the following case study about Colin Pitchfork taken from “What is Life?” by Jay Phelan.
DNA and CHROMOSOMES • When cell is about to divide, DNA coils up into CHROMOSOMES. • Each section or piece of the DNA – called a GENE- strand codes for a specific protein, that carries out a cellular function. • These chromosomes will double, or replicate, right before cell division.
Each chromosome consists of 2 identical copies (the original chromosome and the replicated chromosome) called CHROMATIDS. • The 2 chromatids are connected at the point called the CENTROMERE.
NUMBER OF CHROMOSOMES • Each species has a specific number of chromosomes. • Organisms have 2 (a pair) of each chromosome (i.e. pair #1, #2, #3, etc). • Called HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES-chromosomes that cover the same information, but are different versions; one is inherited from mom and one is inherited from dad • The two homologous chromosomes, one from “mom” and one from “dad”, together are referred to as a HOMOLOGOUS PAIR.