DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid

1. DNADeoxyribonucleic Acid

2. DNA Structure

3. What is DNA? • The information that determines an organisms traits. • Stores and passes on genetic information from one generation to the next. • DNA produces proteins which gives it “The power” • Many things contain and are made of proteins. • Skin, hair, bones, etc are made of proteins.

4. What is DNA? Cont’d • Enzymes are special proteins. • Enzymes control chemical reactions needed for life. • DNA contains all the information for making all and any proteins for human life.

5. DNA Structure: • DNA is made of repeating subunits called nucleotides. • Nucleotides have three parts: • Simple sugar • Phosphate group • Nitrogen base

6. 1 Nucleotide Phosphate Group Nitrogen Base Sugar (Deoxyribose)

7. DNA Structure • The simple sugar is called deoxyribose. • The phosphate group is made of phosphate and oxygen.

8. DNA Structure • Four possible Nitrogen Bases: • Thymine (T) • Adenine (A) • Cytosine (C) • Guanine (G)

9. DNA “Backbone” • Nucleotides join together to form long chains. • The phosphate group of one nucleotide joins together with the deoxyribose sugar of an adjacent nucleotide. “Teeth”

10. DNA • Nitrogen bases pair up • Adenine & Thymine (A-T) • Cytosine & Guanine (C-G) Complementarybases

11. Watson & Crick and Franklin, 1953 • Rosalind Franklin is the first one to see the DNA • Watson and Crick Proposed DNA is put together like a “twisted zipper” • DNA = 2 chains of nucleotides joined by nitrogen bases

12. Watson & Crick, 1953Double Helix • Double = DNA has two strands • Helix = twisted like a spring, “spiral”

14. Importance of Sequencing • The sequence of the four different nucleotides determines what organism is created. • For instance: T-A-A-G-C-A is different than A-G-C-A-A-G • Another example: E-A-R-T-H is different than H-E-A-R-T vs.

15. Importance of Sequencing • The more similar the order of nucleotides are, the closer the relationship between 2 organisms