Biology Chapter 21 Sylvia Mader Modified
Biology Chapter 21 Sylvia Mader Modified
Fall 2017/2018
Chapter 21
Human Biology by
Sylvia Mader
Lecture Presentation by
Prof Samir Awadallah
College of Health Sciences
University of Sharjah
DNA Biology and Technology
Chapter 21
Points to consider
• What are three functions of DNA?
• Review DNA and RNA structure.
• What are the 3 types of RNA and what are their functions?
• Compare and contrast the structure and function of DNA and RNA.
• How does DNA replicate?
• Describe transcription and translation in detail.
• Describe the genetic code.
• Review protein structure and function.
• What are the 4 levels of regulating gene expression.
• What did we learn from the human genome project and where are
we going from here?
• What is ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy?
• Define biotechnology, transgenic organisms, genetic engineering
and recombinant DNA.
• What are some uses of transgenic bacteria, plants and animals?
21.1 DNA and RNA structure and function
DNA structure
The phosphate-sugar backbones are oriented in different directions. The strands
are antiparallel: the carbons are numbered as 3’-5’ and 5’-3’ directions
21.1 DNA and RNA structure and function
DNA replication
DNA replication
21.1 DNA and RNA structure and function
RNA structure
21.1 DNA and RNA structure and function
Proteins: A review
• Composed of subunits of amino acids
Gene expression
Two Steps:
Transcription – A portion of
DNA (gene) is read to make a
mRNA in the nucleus of our Cells.
(i.e.: a sequence of nucleotides in
DNA is copied to a sequence of
nucleotides in mRNA)
• Made of 4 bases
• Bases act as a code for
amino acids in translation
• Every 3 bases on the
mRNA is called a codon.
• Each codon represent a
specific amino acid.
• A total of 64 codons are
made from the 4 bases
1. Transcription
• mRNA is made from a DNA
template
2. Translation
3 steps:
1. Initiation: mRNA binds to the small ribosomal subunit
and causes 2 ribosomal units to associate
• Comparative genomics
• Help understand how species have evolved (Human vs.
animals?)
• Comparing genomes may help identify base sequences that
cause human illness