DNA & Genes Flashcards
What are the parts of a DNA molecule?
DNA consists of alternating sugar and phosphate molecules (Side of Ladder) and paired nitrogen bases (Steps of Ladder) also known as nucleotides.
How do bases pair up in the DNA molecule?
Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) pair together, and Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G) pair together.
What is a Chromatin?
It’s when DNA molecules coil and compact into a condensed form to fit into the cells.
How many chromosomes does a human body cell contain?
The human body has 23 pairs and 46 in total.
What are genes?
It’s a small segment of DNA (sequence of bases) and determines the production of a specific type of protein, which dictates how the cell is to function.
Where are genes located?
Genes are located in chromosomes which are found inside cells.
How are cells able to function differently even though they contain identical DNA?
It’s because the ribosomes in the cell only read some of the genes which creates specific protein.
What might happen to a cell if the required protein is not made in that cell?
The cell wouldn’t be able to function properly, repair cellular damage, create hormones, maintain cellular structure, reproduce or pass on genetic information.
A DNA molecule is made when one strand of bases joins with a corresponding strand of bases. What do you think would happen if one strand lacked T (Thymine)
Thymine (T) turns into Uracil (U) and it becomes RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
In which part of the DNA molecule would a
change be more damaging to the cell: in the
sugar-phosphate sides of the molecule or in
the A, G, C, T bases? Explain.
The change that would be most damaging would be CGAT basses because they fit into each other like puzzle pieces. If that were to change they would no longer fit together.
One side of a DNA molecule contains the
following sequence of bases.
ACCTGCTAT
Write the sequence of the bases on the other
side of the molecule.
TGGACGATA
