Download
1 / 14
160 likes | 331 Vues
DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the genetic material that determines inherited characteristics. It must accomplish two critical functions: providing instructions for building and maintaining cells, and replicating identically when a cell divides. Composed of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, and base), DNA features four bases: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. Chargaff’s rules and Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray diffraction images led to Watson and Crick’s discovery of the double helix structure. Understanding DNA’s replication process is crucial for cellular function and genetic inheritance.
E N D
DNA What does DNA Look Like?How DNA Works
DNA • Deoxyribonucleic acid • Genetic material • Material that determines inherited characteristics. • What does it look like?
The Pieces of the Puzzle • Must be able to do two things: • 1. Give instructions for building & maintaining cells • 2. Must be able to be copies each time a cell divides so that each cell contains identical genes.
Nucleotides: The Subunits of DNA • Consists of a sugar, a phosphate, and a base. • Nucleotides are identical except for the base. • Four bases: • 1. adenine • 2. thymine • 3. guanine • 4. cytosine • Each base has a different shape. • Referred by the 1st letter of the base, A, T, G & C.
Chargaff’s Rules • 1950’s; biochemist • Amt. of adenine in DNA always equals amt. of thymine. • Amt. of guanine always equals amt. of cytosine. • At the time, no one knew this was important. Years later, helped scientists understand the structure of DNA.
Franklin’s Discovery • Female, chemist, Britain • Made images of DNA molecules via x-ray diffraction. • X rays are aimed at DNA molecule. • When an X ray hits a part of the molecule, the ray bounces off. • Pattern made by bouncing rays is captured on film. • Suggested that DNA had a spiral shape.
Watson & Crick’s Model • After seeing Franklin’s X-ray images, concluded that DNA must look like a long, twisted ladder. • Were able to build a model of DNA by using simple materials from their lab. • Their model fit perfectly with both Chargaff’s and Franklin’s findings. • Model eventually helped explain how DNA is copied and how it functions in the cell.
DNA’S Double Structure • Double helix; twisted ladder. • Two sides of the ladder are made of alternating sugar parts and phosphate parts. • Rungs of the ladder are made of a pair of bases. • Adenine on one side of a rung always pairs with thymine on the other side. • Guanine always pairs with cytosine.
Making Copies of DNA • Pairing of bases allows cell to replicate (make copies) of DNA • Each base always bonds with only one other base. • Pairs of bases are complimentary to each other. • Both sides of a DNA molecule are complementary. • Ex: CGAC bonds to GCTG
How Copies are Made • During replication, a DNA molecule is split down the middle, where the bases meet. • Bases on each side of the molecule are used as a pattern for a new strand. • As the bases on the original molecule are exposed, complementary nucleotides are added to each side of the ladder. • 2 DNA molecules are formed. • Half of each of the molecules is old DNA and half is new DNA.
When Copies are Made • Every time a cell divides! • Each new cell gets a complete copy of all the DNA. • Unwinding, copying, and re-winding DNA is done by proteins within the cell. • DNA is usually found with several kinds of proteins. • Other proteins help with the process of carrying out the instructions written in the code of DNA.
