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THE GENETIC CODE - GR 7 Lesson Notes

DNA contains the genetic code for cells to make proteins that determine traits. The genetic code is stored on chromosomes, which are made of DNA and proteins. DNA has a double helix structure with nitrogen base pairs on the rungs. There are four types of bases that form base pairs between DNA strands. Genes are sections of DNA that code for specific proteins. DNA copies itself through replication, where the double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template to create a new complementary strand.

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49 views4 pages

THE GENETIC CODE - GR 7 Lesson Notes

DNA contains the genetic code for cells to make proteins that determine traits. The genetic code is stored on chromosomes, which are made of DNA and proteins. DNA has a double helix structure with nitrogen base pairs on the rungs. There are four types of bases that form base pairs between DNA strands. Genes are sections of DNA that code for specific proteins. DNA copies itself through replication, where the double helix unwinds and each strand serves as a template to create a new complementary strand.

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Jung Ahn Hong
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THE GENETIC CODE

Learning Objectives
1. Explain what forms the genetic code
2. Describe how DNA copies itself

What Forms the Genetic Code?


 DNA contains the genetic information for cells to make proteins
 Proteins determine a variety of traits, from hair color to an organism’s ability to
digest food.
 Parents pass traits to their offspring through chromosomes.
 Chromosomes are made up of DNA and proteins.

The Structure of DNA


 The DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is shaped like a twisted ladder, or “double
helix”.
 The sides of the double helix are made up of sugar molecules called
deoxyribose, alternating with phosphate molecules.
 The rungs of DNA are made up of nitrogen bases, molecules that contain
nitrogen and other elements.
 DNA has four (4) kinds of nitrogen bases:
1. Adenine (A)
2. Thymine (T)
3. Guanine (G)
4. Cytosine (C)
Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
 A gene is a section of a DNA molecule that contains the code for one specific
protein.
 That code (gene) is a series of bases in a specific order – for example,
ATGACGTAC.
 A single gene may contain several hundred to a million or more bases.

Note:
 Because there are so many possible combinations of bases and genes, each
individual organism has a unique set of DNA.
 DNA is found in all cells of the body except Red blood cells (No nucleus)

Order of the Bases


 A gene contains the code that determines the structure of a protein.
 The order of the nitrogen bases along a gene form a genetic code that specifies
what type of protein will be produced.
 In the genetic code, a group of three DNA base codes for one specific amino
acid.
 For example, the three – base sequence CGT (Cytosine – Guanine – Thymine)
always codes for the amino acid Alanine.
 The order of the three – base code units determines the order in which amino
acids are put together to form a protein.
How Does DNA Copy Itself? (DNA Replication)
 When a cell divides, it forms two daughter cells.
 Daughter cells need a complete set of DNA to survive, so DNA copies itself.

DNA Replication
 It is the process in which an identical copy of a DNA strand is formed for a new
cell.
 DNA replication begins when two sides of a DNA molecule unwind and separate,
like a zipper unzipping, between the nitrogen bases.
 Next, the nitrogen bases in the nucleus pair up with the bases on each half of the
DNA.
 Because of the way the nitrogen bases pair up, the order of the bases in each
new DNA strand exactly matches the order in the original DNA strand.
 Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T) while Guanine (G) always pairs with
Cytosine (C).
 At the end of replication, two identical DNA molecules are formed.

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