DNA Structure

Exploring the organized

structure of DNA

What does DNA do?

What are the components of DNA?
Where is DNA normally stored?
How does DNA code for different
traits?

The purpose of DNA

DNA provides the template for RNA,
which then is used to synthesize
proteins. This concept is know as The
Central Dogma of genetics.
Different genes lead to different
proteins being made; thats what
makes you, YOU!

DNA
DNA stands for Deoxyribose nucleic
acid
It is present in the nucleus of all cells
in living organisms
The type of cell that is formed during
development is controlled by DNA

The Double Helix

The structure of DNA
was determined to be
a double helix by
James D. Watson and
Francis Crick in 1953
This lead to the
discovery of DNA base
pairing
Click here to learn
more

What is DNA made of?

DNA is composed of four different
nucleotides. The sequence of these
nucleotides determines the way the
protein is assembled.
Nucleotides are monomers (like
links in a chain) that contain three
parts: a nitrogenous base, a phosphate
group and a sugar

Nitrogenous bases
There are four nitrogenous bases in
DNA: Adenine (A), Guanine (G),
Tyrosine (T), and Cytosine (C)
The nitrogenous bases are the only
differences between nucleotides

DNA Nucleotide

What does the double helix

mean?
The DNA double helix indicated that
there is pairing between the strands
that results in the shape
This pairing is caused by hydrogen
bonds between the bases

The Strand Structure

The
phosphates
and sugars are
held together
by covalent
bonds.
Together they
form the DNA
backbone.

Chargaffs rules
Adenine and Thymine always pair
The amount of A should equal the
amount of T

Guanine and Cytosine always pair

The amount of G should equal the
amount of C

Reasoning
The base pairing is specific because
A and T form two hydrogen bonds,
while G and C form three.

Quick review
If the composition of a DNA molecule is 30% Guanine,
what is the percent Adenine?
a) 30%
b) 20%
c) 40%
d) 60%

Match this DNA strand to its correct

half
CAG TAT CAT TAG GTC CAG
a) GTA ATA GCA GAC CGA GAC
b) GTA ATA GTA ATC CAG GTC
c) TGA CGC TGC CGT ACT TGA

Just like shoes!

Just like how you pair a left shoe with
a right shoe, you pair opposite bases
as well.
You should also wear shoes of the
same style as well, when we
mismatch pairs things get iffy!

The genetic code

As mentioned before, the sequence
of bases in DNA determines the
Genetic Code
A group of three bases (called a
triplet) controls the production of a
specific amino acid
Amino acids link together to form
proteins
The order of the amino acids determines
how the protein will fold and thus, its
function

Why a triplet?
If the code was read as each
individual base, there would be only
four different amino acids. If the code
was read 2 bases at a time there
would be only 16 different amino acids
(4 possibilities x 4 possibilities).
Triplets allow for up to 64 different
amino acids to be used!

Replication
When a cell divides, it must first
create a copy of its DNA
Each strand separates and new
nucleotides are added to create two
identical DNA molecules
This process is called replication

Question 1
Which of the following are components of
nucleotides?
(a) deoxyribose
(b) amino acids
(c) phosphate
(d) enzymes
(e) nitrogenous bases

Question 2
Which of the following represent a correct
pairing of bases?
(a) adenine with thymine
(b) adenine with guanine
(c) thymine with adenine
(d) guanine with cytosine
(e) thymine with thymine

Question 3
Which of the following are nitrogenous bases?
(a) Valine
(b) Guanine
(c) Thymine
(d) Serine

Question 4
Replication of DNA occurs
(a) During cell division
(b) before cell division
(c) at any time

resources
Nucleotide pichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deoxygu
anosine_monophosphate
Base pairing pic- https://
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chargaff-Regeln
DNA chemical structurehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F
ile:DNA_chemical_structure.svg