DNA Flashcards
What are chromosomes in comparison to DNA?
Chromosomes are really long molecules of DNA
What does ‘DNA’ stand for?
deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA contains all the ____ on how to ____ an organism ____ and make it ____
DNA contains all the instructions on how to put an organism together and make it work
Where is DNA found?
In the nucleus of animal and plant cells
What is a gene in comparison to DNA?
A gene is a section of DNA
Genes contain the ____ to make a specific ____
Genes contain the instructions to make a specific protein
How do cells make proteins?
By stringing amino acids together in a particular order
How many amino acids are used to make proteins?
Only 20
Amino acids make up ____ of proteins
Amino acids make up thousands of proteins
What do genes tell cells to do?
What order to put amino acids together
DNA also determines what ____ the cell ____ . That in turn determines what ____ ____ ____ it is
DNA also determines what protein the cell produces
Give 2 examples of proteins produced by cells
- Haemoglobin
- Keratin
Give 2 examples of the types of cell decided by the proteins produced by the cell determined by the DNA
- Red blood cells
- Skin cells
Give 2 uses of DNA fingerprinting to humans
- Catching criminals
- Identifying the father of a child
What are the 2 exception to the rule: ‘everyone has unique DNA’?
- Identical twins
- Clones
Define DNA fingerprinting
A way of cutting up a person’s DNA into small sections and then seperating them
Every person’s genetic fingerprinting has what?
A unique pattern
(barring clones and identical twins)
What 2 areas is DNA fingerprinting used in?
- Forensic science
- Paternity testing
How is DNA used in forensic science?
DNA taken from a crime scene is compared with a DNA sample from a suspect
Give 4 examples of what DNA could be taken from
- Hair
- Skin flakes
- Semen
- Blood
Some people want there to be a national what?
A national genetic database
Why do some people want a national genetic database?
DNA from a crime scene could be checked against everyone in the country to check whose it is
For what 2 reasons are people opposed to a national genetic database?
- They feel it is an invasion of privacy
- They worry about the saftey of the data and what else it might be used for
What are the scientific problems with a national genetic database?
False positives can occur if errors are made in the procedure or if the data is misinterpreted
What is it important to remeber when comparing DNA in a paternity test?
That half a child’s DNA comes from the father and the other half comes from the mother
