DNA Structure and Replication

A collection of flashcards to help review the key concepts of DNA structure, replication, and profiling.

What is DNA?

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a hereditary molecule that carries the genetic instructions for living organisms.

What are the basic components of DNA?

DNA is composed of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

What is the structure of DNA?

DNA has a double-stranded, complementary, helical structure.

What amino acids are bases in DNA?

Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

What is Chargaff's Rule?

The amount of Adenine (A) equals Thymine (T), and the amount of Cytosine (C) equals Guanine (G) in a DNA molecule.

What is semiconservative replication?

A method of DNA replication in which each new DNA molecule consists of one old strand and one new strand.

What is the role of DNA polymerase?

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding complementary nucleotides during DNA replication.

What is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

A laboratory technique used to amplify specific DNA segments, allowing for the creation of millions of copies.

What are short tandem repeats (STRs)?

Sections of a chromosome in which short DNA sequences are repeated, commonly used in DNA profiling.

How does the Innocence Project use DNA?

It relies on DNA evidence to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.

What is the importance of DNA profiling?

It identifies unique characteristics in a person’s DNA, valuable in forensic science.

Why is DNA evidence more reliable than other forms of evidence?

DNA matches are highly specific and can conclusively link or exclude individuals as suspects.

What is the importance of the 23rd pair of chromosomes?

It determines biological sex, with XX indicating female and XY indicating male.

What is the significance of studying the unique DNA sequence of individuals?

It allows for the creation of DNA profiles that can be used in various applications, including forensics.

How does gel electrophoresis work in DNA profiling?

It separates DNA fragments by size, allowing for comparison of DNA banding patterns.

How does gel electrophoresis work in DNA profiling?

It separates DNA fragments by size, allowing for comparison of DNA banding patterns.

What type of bond holds the two strands of the DNA double helix together?

Hydrogen bonds, which form between complementary base pairs.