Topic B6 - Inheritance, Variation and Evolution Flashcards
What does DNA stands for and what is DNA?
DNA stands for DeoxyrinoNucleic Acid. It is the chemical that all of the genetic material in a cell is made up from.
DNA contains coded information. What does it means?
It means that all the instructions to put an organism together and make it work.
What determines what inherited characteristics you have?
It is what is on your DNA.
Where is DNA found?
DNA is found in the nucleus of animal and plant cells, in really long structures called chromosomes. They normally come in pairs.
DNA is a polymer. What does it mean?
It means that it is made up of two strands coiled together in the shape of a double helix.
What is a gene?
It is a small section f DNA found on a chromosome.
What does each gene codes for (tells the cells to make)?
For a particular sequence of amino acids which are put together to make a specific protein.
How many amino acids are used to make a specific protein?
Only 20 amino acids are used, but they make up thousands of different proteins.
What does the gene do?
The gene tell cells in what order to put the amino acids together.
What does DNA determines?
It determines what proteins the cell produces, e.g. haemoglobin, keratin. It also determines what type of cell it is, e.g. red blood cell, skin cell.
