Molecular Genetics

Question 1

Define gene

Answer 1

• A sequence of nucleotides that code for 1 polypeptide
• A segment of DNA
• A unit of inheritance

Question 2

Describe the structure of DNA

Answer 2

DNA:
- Consists of 2 strands of DNA molecules twisted around each other in a double helix structure
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- The basic unit of DNA Is a nucleotide consisting of 1 phosphate group, 1 nitrogenous base, and 1 deoxyribose sugar.
- Many nucleotides join tgt via covalent bonds to form a polynucleotide.
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- Polynucleotide strands run in anti-parallel directions
- and are joined tgt based on the rule of complementary base pairing:
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- Adenine pairs with Thymine via 2 Hydrogen bonds
- Cytosine pairs with guanine via 3 Hydrogen bonds