DNA Structure and Replication How is genctic information stored and copied? Why? Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is the molecule of heredity. Ie contains the genetic blueprint for life. For organisms to grow and repair damaged cells, each cell must be capable of accurately copying itself. So how docs the structure of DNA allow it to copy itself so accurately? Model 1 — The Structure of DNA Ladder Model of DNA Helix Model of DNA Nudeotide Ay Deoxyribose Nitrogen- sagae containing base fomSt Nitrogen Bases ED Cytosine 1, Refer to the diagram in Model 1. 4. What are the three parts of a nucleotide? 4, What kind of sugar is found in a nucleotide? Which nucleotide component contains nitrogen? d. Name the four nitrogen bases shown in Model 1. 2. DNA is often drawn in a “ladder model.” Locate this drawing in Model 1. a, Circle a single nucleotide on each side of the ladder model of DNA. DNA Structure and Replication8, What part(s) of the nucleotides make up the rungs of the “ladder”? ¢. What parts of the nucleotides make up the sides (backbone) of the “ladder”? d. Look at the bottom and top of the “ladder” in Model 1. Are the rungs parallel (the ends of the strands match) or antiparallel (the ends of the strands are opposites)? 3. On the ladder model of DNA label each of the bases with the letter A, T, C or G. . Refer to Model 1. When one nucleotide contains adenine, what type of base is the adenine attached to on the opposite nucleotide strand? 5. The owo strands of DINA are held together with hydrogen bonds besween the nitrogen bases. ‘These are weak bonds between polar molecules. How many hydrogen bonds connect the wo bases from Question 4? Refer to Model 1. When one nucleotide contains cytosine, what type of bas is the cytosine attached to on the opposite nucleotide strand? 2 How many hydrogen bonds connect the two bases from Question 62 8. With your group, use a complere sentence to write a rule for how the bases are arranged in the ladder model of DNA. Read This! Erwin Chargaff (1905-2002), an Austrian-American biochemist, investigated the ratio of nucleotide bases found in the DNA from a variety of organisms. From his research, as well as research by Rosalind Frane- Jin and Maurice Wilkins, Watson and Crick developed the complementary base-pair rule during their race to discover the structure of DNA. The complementary base-pair rule states that adenine and thymine form pairs across two strands, and guanine and cytosine form paits across two strands. 9. Fill in the complementary bases on the strand below according to the base-pair rule. A ret Cc c A G 10, ‘The ladder model of DNA is a simplified representation of the actual structure and shape of a DNA molecule. In reality, the strands of DNA form a double helix. Refer to che double helix diagram in Model 1 and describe its shape using a complete sentence. © 2 POGIL™ Activities for High School BiologyModel 2 —- DNA Replication Direction of DNA DNA helicase 11, Examine Model 2. Number the steps below in order to describe the replication of DNA in a cell. Hydrogen bonds between nucleotides form. Hydrogen bonds between nucleotides break. ___ Strands of DNA separate. Free nucleotides are attracted to expased bases on the loose strands of DNA. 12, Locate the DNA helicase on Model 2. a. What type of biological molecule is DNA helicase? 4, What is the role of DNA helicase in che replication of DNA? 13, What cule is used to join the ftee nucleotides to the exposed bases of the DNA? ©, 14, This pe of replication i clled semi-conservaive replication, Considering the meaning of these words (semi—half; conserve—to keep), explain why DNA replication is called semi-conservative. DNA Scruccure and Replication 315. DNA molecules can be tens of thousands of base pairs in length. Mistakes in DNA replication lead to mutations, which may or may not be harmful to an organism. How does semi-conservative replication help prevent mutations during DNA replication? 16, The proportions of the bascs are consistent within a species; however they do vary between specics. Using the base-pair rules, complete the following table to show the percentage of each type of base in the five different organisms. peat Percentage af each type of base ‘Adenine Guanine Gytosine Thymine Human 31 19 Cow 28 2 Salmon 21 29 Wheat 27 Yeast 31 19 POGIL™ Activities for High School BiologyExtension Questions Model 3 — Timing of DNA Replication Ifthe chromatin were ‘condensed, replicated chromosomes would be visible. (End of S) Chromosomes are condensed, Matching ssgter chromatids are [kthe ch connected by a centromere. ‘chromatin were sinning of M) condensed, homologous Ceara chromosomes would be visible, (End of G;) 18, During what pare of the cell eycle is the DNA in a celf’s nucleus replicated? 19. During what pare of the cell eycle is the DNA in a cell condensed into chromosomes? 20. Replicated chromosomes are often illustrated as an X shape to match how they look in real life just before cell division. 4, According to Model 3, which of che following diagrams correctly show an original set of homologous chromosomes (grey) and their sister chromatids (black) —the replicated portion? XN AA Dd 2X 4, ‘What structure holds the two sister chromatids together as chey prepare for cell division? DNA Structure and Replication 5