DNA structure & base pairing

Question 1

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 1

A “double helix” twisted ladder shape

Question 2

What does DNA do?

Answer 2

carries the master set of instructions for the cell function

Question 3

What are the main components of DNA?

Answer 3

• sugar & phosphate

- Nitrogen bases (A, G, C, T)

Question 4

What are the nitrogen base letters in DNA?

Answer 4

A, G, C, T (A+T, G+C)

Question 5

How is DNA stored?

Answer 5

As Chromatin

Question 6

How is a chromosome formed?

Answer 6

When chromatin is “coiled” in a complex & specific way

Question 7

How many chromosomes do people have?

Answer 7

• 46 single chromosomes

- 23 “pairs” of chromosomes

Question 8

What are genes and what do they do?

Answer 8

• segments of DNA
• store info to produce proteins
• each chromosome contains approx. 1000

Question 9

What are proteins?

Answer 9

determine what body cells will become and how they will function

Question 10

“Every cell has the SAME genetic info” (true or false?)

Answer 10

TRUE

Question 11

“only specific genes are expressed or ‘read’ to produce specific proteins.” (true or false?)

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

Give 2 examples of cells becoming “specialized through genes”

Answer 12

• enzymes

- hormones