Week 1 Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What does DNA determine for different organisms?
Characteristics (how your body looks and functions)
Is DNA an element, compound or ion?
Compound
Is DNA found in all organisms the same?
They have the same structure but they are different
Name the molecules that make up DNA?
Nucleotides
Name the three main parts that nucleotides are made up of?
Phosphate group
Deoxyribose sugar group
One of four nitrogen rich bases
Describe the shape of a DNA molecule?
The nucleotides in DNA are arranged in a way that makes DNA look like a double helix (looks like a twisted rope ladder)
What are the ladder uprights of DNA composed of?
Phosphate and deoxyribose sugar
What are the ladder steps of DNA composed of?
The four bases
Name the nitrogen-rich bases?
Adenine
Thymine
Guanine
Cytosine
Are all of the bases exactly the same, explain?
No, they have different chemical structures
Name the two base pairing combinations?
Adenine and thymine
Guanine and cytosine
What is the part of the DNA molecule that bases attach to?
Deoxyribose sugar group
In between the deoxyribose sugar groups you will find what?
Phosphate groups
Bases are joined to each other using _____________ base pairing.
Complementary
What element are bases rich in?
Nitrogen
DNA is sometimes referred to as the “blueprint of life”, why would this be?
DNA is the genetic blueprint or recipe for making all living things
Where are chromosomes found in cells?
The nucleus
Describe the structure of a chromosome?
Long, thin and threadlike
What are chromosome made of?
DNA and protein
How many chromosomes are found in most human cells?
46
How many chromosomes are found in sperm and egg cells?
23
How many chromosomes are found in red blood cells?
0 (they don’t have a nucleus)
Do all organisms have the same number of chromosomes in their cells as humans?
No
What is a gene?
Sections of DNA that control one piece of inherited information. There can be over 1000 genes in a single chromosome.
How is one gene different to another?
The genetic code and length of of the DNA strand
What is a genetic code?
The order of bases along the DNA strand
What do proteins control?
Many characteristics or functions in the body
What chemicals are combined to make proteins?
Amino acids
Cells have the ability to _________ and make exact copies of their DNA.
Replicate
Before cells do this to the DNA they must have doubled.
Divide
These types of cells only contain half of the number of chromosomes that other cells contain.
Sperm and egg
Before DNA is able to produce new strands it must do this process.
Unzip
List the following in order of increasing size and justify your answer:
Nucleus, gene, chromosome, cell, tissue
Gene, chromosome, nucleus, cell, tissue Tissues are made up of cells Cells (except for red blood cells) contain a nucleus Nucleuses contain chromosomes Chromosomes are made up of DNA Genes are sections of DNA
What do both plant and animal cells have in common?
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Cell membrane
When was DNA found and who by?
1868
Friedrich Miescher
Francis Crick, James Watson and Maurice Wilkins received what prize in what year for determining what in what year?
Nobel prize
1692
Structure of DNA
1953
What does soap/detergent/extraction solution do to a cell?
Raptures the outer part of the cell
What helps separate DNA from other cellular chemicals?
Salt
What does cooling help protect DNA from?
Enzymes that normally don’t bother the DNA. The cold temperature helps slow the enzymes down
How does the last cooling help DNA?
It helps solidify and precipitate.
