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Genetics

This document provides an introduction to genetics, covering topics like DNA structure, nucleotides, chromosomes, genes, DNA replication, and the cell cycle. It describes how DNA is composed of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, phosphate, and nitrogen bases. Chromosomes contain the entire DNA molecule plus proteins, while genes are distinct regions that code for proteins. The document explains that DNA replication must occur before cell division to ensure each new cell receives a full copy of DNA, forming double-stranded chromosomes from single-stranded ones.

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Mark Anthony Clavillas
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44 views13 pages

Genetics

This document provides an introduction to genetics, covering topics like DNA structure, nucleotides, chromosomes, genes, DNA replication, and the cell cycle. It describes how DNA is composed of nucleotides containing deoxyribose, phosphate, and nitrogen bases. Chromosomes contain the entire DNA molecule plus proteins, while genes are distinct regions that code for proteins. The document explains that DNA replication must occur before cell division to ensure each new cell receives a full copy of DNA, forming double-stranded chromosomes from single-stranded ones.

Uploaded by

Mark Anthony Clavillas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Genetics

-the DNA molecule


-nucleotides
-chromosomes vs genes
-DNA replication
-cell division
The DNA molecule
• Composed of 2
polymers of
nucleotides
• Polymers are oriented
in antiparallel
• Molecule resembles a
spiral staircase of
complementary base
pairs
Nucleotide structure of DNA
• Each nucleotide of
DNA contains:
– Deoxyribose
– Phosphate
– Nitrogen base (either
A, G, C, T)
Nucleotide structure of RNA
• Each nucleotide of
RNA contains:
– Ribose
– Phosphate
– Nitrogen base (either
A, G, C, U*)

*contains Uracil instead


of Thymine
DNA structure

• “Double helix”
propsed by Watson
and Crick (1953)
• Antiparallel backbones
• Complementary base
pairing:
– Adenine to Thymine
– Cytosine to Guanine
DNA structure
Chromosomes vs Genes

• A chromosome
constitutes an entire DNA
molecule + protein
– Protein = histones
– Supercoiled DNA in
nucleosomes
– Humans contain 46 such
molecules (23 pairs)
• 44 somatic chromosomes
• 2 sex chromosomes (X +Y)
Chromosomes vs Genes
• Genes constitute distinct
regions on the
chromosome
• Each gene codes for a
protein product
• DNA -> RNA-> protein
• Differences in proteins
brings about differences
between individuals and
species
How do chromosomes become double stranded?
Answer: DNA replication

• During the life of the


cell, each chromosome
of DNA makes a copy
of itself
• This must occur prior
to cell division to
insure each daughter
cell gets a complete
set
Therefore, prior to dividing, any
cell must first replicate DNA
• Each single-stranded (SS)
chromosome duplicates to
become a double-stranded
(DS) chromosome
• Example:
– A human cell is formed
with 46 SS chromosomes
– Each chromosome
replicates to produce 46
DS chromosomes
DNA replication
DNA replication occurs during
the life of a cell = the Cell Cycle
• DNA replicates (makes a copy of itself) to
produce DS chromosomes
• During this time, the cytoplasmic contents
also duplicate
• Spindle tubules form to aid in the process of
cell division
– Mitosis in body cells
– Meiosis in sex cells
The cell cycle

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