Zusammenfassung der Ressource
DNA
- WHAT DOES DNA LOOK LIKE?
- There is DNA in the nucleus of EVERY cell
- Each long molecule of DNA is called a CHROMOSOME
- Most people have 46 chromosomes in each of their cells.
- You inherit half your chromosomes form your mother and half from your father.
- Other Organisms are different ~ chickens have 78 chromosomes
- Almost everyones DNA is unique.
- The only organisms that share identical DNA are identical twins and clones.
- GENES
- The short sections of DNA
- They code for a charecteristic such as eye colour, whether you have freckles or dimples, or your blood group.
- The combination of Genes in an organism controls how the organism functions, and what it looks like.
- The code that a gene has causes specific proteins to be made.
- These particular proteins determine the cell's function.
- E.g. the proteein haemoglobin is found in red blood cells which allows the cells to bind to oxygen to transport it around the body
- WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF DNA?
- DNA is made up of two strands
- These strands are joined together by BASES.
- The strands are then twisted together
- This forms a shape known as a double helix
- They are held together by BONDS between the BASES.
- DNA is made of lots of small units called NUCLEOTIDES.
- These NUCLEOTIDES are joined together ~ meaning that DNA is a polymer.
- Each nucleotide is made up of a sugar called DEOXYRIBOSE.
- DEOXYRIBOSE is a phosphate group and a base.
- There are FOUR different types of NUCLEOTIDE in DNA ~ each containing a different base
- A = ADENINE
- ADENINE ALWAYS BONDS WITH THYMINE (A-T)
- T = THYMINE
- C = CYTOSINE
- G = GUANINE
- CYTOSINE ALWAYS BONDS WITH GUANINE (C-G)
- To hold the strands of DNA together a base from one strand bonds with a base on the other strand.
- This forms a base pair.
- The base pairs always bond together in the same formation.
- HOW IS A COPY OF DNA MADE?
- DNA cannot leave the nucleus of your cells as it is too big.
- Instead a copy of the DNA is made called mRNA
- mRNA is made in a process called TRANSCRIPTION
- The DNA around a gene unzips so that both strands are seperated
- One of the DNA strands acts as a template.
- Complementary bases attach to the strand being copied.
- E.G. CYSTOSINE (C) joins to GUANINE (G)
- This forms a strand of mRNA.
- There is no THYMINE (T) in mRNA
- So instead, a base called URACIL (U) binds with ADENINE (A)
- When complete, the strand of mRNA detatches itself from the DNA template.
- The DNA zips back up.
- mRNA is small enough to move out of the nucleus
- It travels to subcellular structures called ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
- This is where the protein will be made
- HOW IS A PROTEIN MADE?
- Proteins are made from AMINO ACIDS
- Different amino acids join together to form different proteins.
- The order of NUCLEOTIDES in your DNA determines the type and order of amino acids.
- This determines which proteins are produced.
- By a process called TRANSLATION
- The mRNA attaches to a RIBOSOME
- Here the NUCLEOTIDE sequence is interpreted
- The new protein is made.
- The RIBOSOME 'reads' the NUCLEOTIDES on the mRNA in groups of THREE.
- These groups are called BASE TRIPLETS or CODONS.
- Each triplets codes for a SPECIFIC amino acid
- E.G. CGU codes for a different amino acid to ACG
- The RIBOSOME continues to 'read' the triplet code, adding more amino acids.
- The AMINO ACIDS join together in a chain.
- This is a PROTEIN.