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Notes 1

This document summarizes key aspects of DNA structure and function. It explains that DNA acts as the genetic material that is copied and passed to future generations. It describes the chemical composition of DNA, including that it is made up of nucleotides containing a phosphate group, sugar, and one of four nitrogenous bases. It explains that Watson and Crick determined DNA has a double helix structure with the bases on each strand paired specifically with each other and the two strands running in opposite directions. The document also summarizes that DNA replication begins at origins of replication and proceeds in both directions to produce two complete double stranded daughter molecules.

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92 views2 pages

Notes 1

This document summarizes key aspects of DNA structure and function. It explains that DNA acts as the genetic material that is copied and passed to future generations. It describes the chemical composition of DNA, including that it is made up of nucleotides containing a phosphate group, sugar, and one of four nitrogenous bases. It explains that Watson and Crick determined DNA has a double helix structure with the bases on each strand paired specifically with each other and the two strands running in opposite directions. The document also summarizes that DNA replication begins at origins of replication and proceeds in both directions to produce two complete double stranded daughter molecules.

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Goals:

1. Explain why cell division is an essential part of life


2. Describe the chemical composition of DNA
3. Describe key features of the overall shape of a DNA molecule, including the phosphate group,
sugars, bases, hydrogen bonds and the orientation of the two strands of nucleotides.
4. Explain how Watson and Crick determined the structure of DNA
5. Describe the process of DNA replication
6. Describe and use base pairing rules
7. Describe the contributions of Chargaff, Watson, Crick, and Franklin in the development of
DNA structure
DNA acts as hereditary material, which
carries genetic information that can be copied and
passed on to future generations.
Both DNA and RNA are nucleic acids,
meaning they are polymers of nucleotides
(nucleotides are their monomers). Thus, DNA and
RNA are
polynucleotides
.
Nucleotides
have a phosphate group, a
nitrogenous base, and a sugar. The sugar is called
deoxyribose because compared to the sugar
ribose, it is missing an oxygen atom.
Nucleotides
ONLY VARY in THEIR
NITROGENOUS BASE!
There are two types of
bases:
1. Single ring
structures: Thymine and
Cytosine
2. Double ring
structures: Guanine and
Adenine
There are 4 different types of nucleotides that
make up DNA, abbreviated A, T, C, and G.
Nucleotides are joined together by
covalent
bonds between the SUGAR of one nucleotide
and the PHOSPHATE of the next.
This results in a
sugar-phosphate backbone. The 2 sugar
phosphate backbones twist around each other
(making a double helix), and run in opposite
directions (causing the DNA strand to be
antiparallel).
The nitrogenous bases of DNA (ATCG) are
connected by hydrogen bonds.

Watson and Crick


The diameter of the helix was uniform
The thickness suggested that it was made of two polynucleotide strands, so it was a double
helix.
Specific base pairing allowed this uniform diameter, thus they discovered the structure of
DNA.
Chargaff, Franklin
Rosalind Franklins discoveries allowed them to do this. She generated X-ray images of DNA
and provided Watson and Crick with the diameter.
Chargaff discovered that genes were composed of DNA rather than the 20 amino acids
composing of protein in the cell. DNA is the carrier of genetic information rather.
DNA Replication
-Begins at origins of replication
-Then proceeds in both directions, creating replication bubbles
-Parental DNA strands open up as daughter strands elongate on both sides of each bubble.
-The DNA of an eukaryotic chromosome has many origins where replication can start simultaneously.
This shortens the time needed for the process.
-All of the bubbles eventually merge.
-Yields two completed double stranded daughter DNA molecules.

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