Understanding DNA Structure and the Central Dogma

Central Dogma

Process: DNA codes for RNA, which codes for proteins.

DNA

Molecule carrying genetic information in organisms.

Nucleotide

Building block of DNA, consisting of phosphate, sugar, base.

Double Helix

Structure of DNA resembling a twisted ladder.

Nitrogenous Bases

A, T, G, C; form the steps of DNA.

Chargaff's Rule

A pairs with T, G pairs with C.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hold nitrogenous bases together in DNA.

Semiconservative Replication

Each new DNA molecule retains one original strand.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme synthesizing new DNA strands during replication.

Transcription

Process of synthesizing RNA from DNA template.

Translation

Process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries genetic information from DNA.

Gene

Segment of DNA coding for a specific protein.

Genome

Complete set of genetic material in an organism.

Protein Synthesis

Assembly of proteins from amino acids using mRNA.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; involved in protein synthesis.

Amino Acid

Building blocks of proteins, coded by mRNA.

Codon

Three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA coding for an amino acid.

Traits

Physical characteristics determined by protein expression.

Erwin Chargaff

Scientist known for Chargaff's Rule on base pairing.

Rosalind Franklin

Produced X-ray images crucial for DNA structure discovery.

Francis Crick

Co-discoverer of DNA's double-helix structure.

James Watson

Co-discoverer of DNA's double-helix structure with Crick.

Maurice Wilkins

Contributed to understanding DNA structure through X-ray diffraction.

Non-coding DNA

98.5% of human genome; function still under investigation.

RNA Polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA during transcription.

Phenotype

Observable traits resulting from gene expression.