DNA Replication to Protein Synthesis

 1. What is DNA?

DNA is an organic molecule that holds all genetic information for living things.

2. What does DNA stand for?

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid 

3. What does DNA look like?

its basic structure looks like this:

DNA is made by many little nucleotides which have 3 parts:

1. Sugar called Deoxyribose
2. A Phosphate
3. Nitrogenous Base 

These nucleotides connect together by Nitrogenous bases with hydrogen bonds

• Adenosine (A) goes with Thymine (T)
• Cytosine (C) goes with Guanine (G)

When these bases connect, they form a double-stranded, twisted helix!

4. What does DNA do?

Holds all the instructions for the cell to grow, function, and replicate.

5. How does DNA work? It Replicates!

DNA Replication

The Semiconservative Model:

Two strands of DNA unwind from each other. Each strand acts as a model for the synthesis (making) of a new complementary strand. 

The Result: Two DNA molecules with one original strand and one new strand

This allows for the transmission and conservation of genetic information.

6. What is the Genetic Code?

The genetic code is universal to ALL LIFE and tells us that everything is related! All life regenerates itself by producing offspring and passing its genetic code. This code is used to produce amino acids, which are the building blocks for proteins. Mutations cause variations in the genetic code, which change the protein sequence, Which can lead to a variety of species!

7. What's a Codon?

A Codon is the basic genetic unit of life! 

A sequence of three nucleotides forms a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule.

In this example, there are 4 Codons!

8. How do I read a Codon Chart?

                                    

1. What is a Protein?

A large biomolecule consisting of chains of amino acids

2. What do Proteins do?

Proteins have a Large variety of jobs. Here's a list of what they do:

• Help with the structure of the cell like making up the cell membrane
• Become enzymes to help speed up chemical reactions
• Work as hormones in your body (estrogen/ testosterone)
• Work as Antibodies to defend the body from foreign agents

3. How do cells make Proteins?

Central Dogma: 
a theory stating that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA to RNA, to protein

What is RNA?

RNA acts as a messenger that carries out instructions from DNA to control the making of proteins.

What's the difference between RNA and DNA?

DNA has:                                                                                                RNA Has:

-Double Strands                                                                     -One Strand

-Sugar called Deoxyribose                                                   - Sugar called Ribose

-Uses Thymine (A=T, C=G)                                                    -Uses Uracil (A=U, C=G)        

-Forms a double helix                                                           -No Helix

-Very Long                                                                                -Very Short

Protein Synthesis

1. What are Mutations?

Muation is a change in the genetic information

Most mutations have NO effect and some lead to the EVOLUTION of a species.

ONLY mutations in Gametes can be inherited not those in somatic cells.

2. What type of Mutations are there?

Gene Mutations

• Change in a single gene
• Replacement, addition, or deletion of a nucleotide (A, U, C, G)
• Most gene mutations show no physical change (silent mutation)
• Deletion or addition of a nucleotide can change the structure or function of the protein (Frame Shift)
• Occurs during DNA Replication

Chromosomal Mutations

Chromosomal mutations result in alteration of the genotype (genes), which can lead to changes in the phenotype (Physical traits).

• Changes in MANY genes
• Occurs during cell division
• Can change the NUMBER of Chromosomes result in birth defects
• Changes structure of chromosomes