DNA Chapter `10

Structure of DNA and RNA

DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids composed of long chains of nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

What is a nucleotide

A nucleotide is the basic building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Nucleotides have sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

How are DNA and RNA different? List their differences.

DNA - Deoxyribose sugar

RNA - Ribose sugar

DNA - ATGC

RNA - ACGU (uracil)

DNA - Double helix

RNA - single strand

Watson and Crick and their importance

James Watson and Francis Crick are renowned for discovering the double helix structure of DNA in 1953. This discovery was pivotal because it suggested a mechanism for genetic replication and inheritance.

What are transcription and translation?

Transcription is the process where DNA is converted into RNA, while translation uses this RNA to synthesize proteins, forming a bridge between genetic code and functional cellular components.

What is a codon? How is genetic information written in codons translated into amino acid sequences?

A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. The genetic code is composed of these codons, which are the "words" that translate the language of nucleic acids into the language of proteins.

study the flow of genetic information in the cell

This process begins with DNA, which stores genetic instructions, and ends with proteins that perform cellular functions. Known as the "Central Dogma" of molecular biology.

What is a mutation? List different types of mutations

A mutation is a change in the genetic information of a cell or virus. Some examples of mutations are silent mutations, nonsense mutations, or frameshift.

What is a mutagen?

A mutagen is an agent that causes changes or mutations in the DNA sequence of an organism.