Unraveling DNA Structure: The Blueprint of Life
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Discover the mind-blowing world of DNA - the fundamental molecule that shapes organisms' traits and stores genetic information. Learn about nucleotides, nitrogen bases, double helix structure, and the significance of sequencing in determining relationships between organisms.
Unraveling DNA Structure: The Blueprint of Life
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Presentation Transcript
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.
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.
DNA Structure: • DNA is made of repeating subunits called nucleotides. • Nucleotides have three parts: • Simple sugar • Phosphate group • Nitrogen base
1 Nucleotide Phosphate Group Nitrogen Base Sugar (Deoxyribose)
DNA Structure • The simple sugar is called deoxyribose. • The phosphate group is made of phosphate and oxygen.
DNA Structure • Four possible Nitrogen Bases: • Thymine (T) • Adenine (A) • Cytosine (C) • Guanine (G)
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”
DNA • Nitrogen bases pair up • Adenine & Thymine (A-T) • Cytosine & Guanine (C-G) Complementarybases
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
Watson & Crick, 1953Double Helix • Double = DNA has two strands • Helix = twisted like a spring, “spiral”
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.
Importance of Sequencing • The more similar the order of nucleotides are, the closer the relationship between 2 organisms