What is DNA?

1. What is DNA?

2. What is DNA? DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms

3. What does DNA tell you?

4. What does DNA tell you? • DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, like a recipe or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells

5. Who has DNA?

6. Who has DNA? • ALL living things!

7. What is DNA made of?

8. What is DNA made of? • DNA is a very large molecule, made up of smaller repeating units called nucleotides that are strung together in a row • It contains a phosphate, sugar and nitrogen base

9. Why should we care about DNA?

10. Why should we care about DNA? • Learn abut heredity (passing traits from parent to offspring) • Learn about traits (distinguishing characteristic) • Learn about diseases • Discover cures to diseases • Learn about mutations • And much more! • We are going to focus on TRAITS and MUTATIONS

11. Constructing Your DNA • Your model will contain four proteins: • Thymine(red) Adenine (green) • Guanine (blue) Cytosine (yellow) • The proteins A and T always go together and C and G always go together. EX: AT TA GC TA CG AT…. • Choose a trait unique to yourself (like having hazel eyes or freckles) and then create a code to represent it • Your code is unique and should be about 20 pairs long • Use the beads to represent the proteins and string to link them together. Once you are done you can connect it to the key chain to take your DNA with you!

12. What is a mutation?

13. What is a mutation? • Everyone acquires some changes to their DNA during the course of their lives. These changes occur in a number of ways. Sometimes there are simple copying errors that are introduced when DNA replicates itself. • Other changes are introduced as a result of DNA damage through environmental agents including sunlight, cigarette smoke, and radiation.

14. Scientists use DNA to discover • You will be divided into groups and given a list of symptoms from your patient. • Take their symptoms and research the mutation that goes along with it. • Be ready to present your results along with possible cures to the disorder. • You may present your results through a short PowerPoint or poster.

15. Mutations • Sickle Cell Anemia: Mutations in the blood protein. Creates stiff and sticky blood that blocks blood vessels

16. Mutations • Sickle Cell Anemia: Mutations in the blood protein. Creates stiff and sticky blood that blocks blood vessels • Cystic Fibrosis: Mutation in the CFTR gene and is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system

17. Mutations • Sickle Cell Anemia: Mutations in the blood protein. Creates stiff and sticky blood that blocks blood vessels • Cystic Fibrosis: Mutation in the CFTR gene and is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system • Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome: rare genetic syndrome linked to the X chromosome and causing physical anomalies and developmental delays

18. Mutations • Sickle Cell Anemia: Mutations in the blood protein. Creates stiff and sticky blood that blocks blood vessels • Cystic Fibrosis: Mutation in the CFTR gene and is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system • Opitz-Kaveggia syndrome: rare genetic syndrome linked to the X chromosome and causing physical anomalies and developmental delays • Cri Du Chat syndrome: happens when genetic information on chromosome 5 is missing. The disorder is characterized by intellectual disability and delayed development, small head size, low birth weight, and weak muscle tone

19. Use this decoder find the hidden message about DNA.