Part one- Structure of DNA
- You would find my DNA in the nucleus of my cells.
- DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.
- The DNA molecule comes in the form of a twisted ladder and scientists call its shape a double helix.
- The MIDDLE of the DNA MOLECULE is made of bases. These bases will only pair up in particular way: A always pairs with T and C always pairs with G.
- Sugar phosphate and backbone make up the sides of a DNA.
- G stands for Guanine, A stands for Adenine, T stands for Thymine, C stands for Cytosine.
What is a Gene?
- Genes are instruction manuals for our bodies.
- Genes are made of DNA.
- A gene or protein called hemoglobin is responsible for our RED BLOOD CELLS to carry oxygen.
- If our hemoglobin gene is normal, the hemoglobin protein will work fine. But if the instructions in the gene are changed, or mutated, changes in the hemoglobin could result in the disorder sickle cell anemia.
- True: your DNA or GENES are responsible for your eye color.
What is a Chromosome?
- If you pulled the DNA from one of your cells, it would be 3 meters long.
- All of the DNA fits inside of my cells by being packed into compact units called chromosomes.
- Chromosomes are storage units for DNA.
- True: different organisms have a different number of chromosomes inside each cell.
- Each human cell has 46 chromosomes.
- I received 23 of my chromosomes from my mom and 23 of my chromosomes from my dad.
- Males have X and Y sex chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes.
- A mosquito has 6 chromosomes; An onion has 16 chromosomes; A carp has 104 chromosomes.
Part Two: DNA Replication
- DNA, the molecule that holds genetic material makes an exact copy of itself whenever it divides.
- We are located in the nucleus.
- The first step of DNA REPLICATION is to unzip the DNA.
- The DNA molecule unzips down the middle where the pairs meet.
- A (ADENINE) always goes with T (THYMINE). C (CYTOSINE) always goes with G (GUANINE).