B6 DNA (page 68) Flashcards
What is DNA?
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid.
It is a chemical that all of the genetic material in a cell is made up from.
What do DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contain?
it contains coded information - basically all the instructions to put an organism together and make it work.
(so it’s what’s in your DNA that determines what inherited characteristics you have).
Where is DNA found?
in the nucleus of animal and plant cells, in really long structures called chromosomes.
how do Chromosomes normally come in? singles or pairs?
pairs of chromosomes.
DNA is a polymer, what do this mean?
it’s made up of two strands coiled up toegher in the shape of a double helix (a structure formed by double stranded spiral/molecules). (see diagram on page 68).
What is a Gene?
a small section of DNA found on a chromosome.
What is gene codes for?
it tells the cells to make a particular sequence of amino acids which are put together to make a specific protein?
How many amino acids are used in gene codes?
only 20 aminno acids are used, but they make up thousands of different proteins.
What do Genes tell cells?
Genes simply tell cells in what order to put the amion acids together.
DNA also determines what proteins the cells produces, give examples?
haemoglobin, keratin.
That in turn determines what type of cell it is, e.g. red blood cell, skin cell…
What are Gene Codes for?
a Specific Protein.
Every Organism has a genome, explain what this is?
Genome is just the fancy term for the entire set of genetic material in an organism.
(scientists have worked out the complete human genome.
Why is understanding the human genome a really important tool for science and medicine for many reasons?
It allows scientists to identify genes in the genome that are linked to different types of disease.
Knowing which genes are linked to inherited diseases could help us do what?
to understand them better and could help us to develop effective treatments for them.
Why is it important that scientists can look at genomes to trace the migration of certain populations of people around the world?
All modern humans are decended from a common ancestor who lived in Africa, but humans can now be found all over the planet.
The human genome is mostly identical in all individuals, but as different populations of people migrated away from Africa, they gradually developed tiny differences in their genomes. By investigating these differences, scientists can work out when new populations split off in a different direction and what route they took.
