The Structure of the DNA Molecule The finger print that is inside your body!

DNA stands for: D: Deoxyribose N: Nucleic A: Acid DNA is too small to see, but under a microscope it looks like a twisted up ladder!

Every living thing has DNA. That means that you have something in common with a zebra, a tree, a mushroom and a beetle!!!!

(Nucleic Acids) are the largest molecules found in the living cell. directs the formation of proteins (like enzymes), which control all basic life processes. is located in the cell nucleus of eukaryotes, as well as small amounts in mitochondria and chloroplasts. In prokaryotes, the DNA is held within an irregularly shaped body in the cytoplasm called the nucleoid. DNA: DNA 3 Main Functions: 1.Storing 2.Copying 3.Transmitting Instructions of Life Genetic Information

DNA is made up of steps and rails of a ladder. This is a rail This is a step Green can only go with Red Purple can only go with Yellow

Deciphering DNA's structure. DNA is made up of subunits which scientists called nucleotides. Each nucleotide is made up of a sugar, a phosphate and a base. There are 4 different bases in a DNA molecule: 1.adenine (a purine) 2.cytosine (a pyrimidine) 3.guanine (a purine) 4.thymine (a pyrimidine)

The number of purine bases equals the number of pyrimidine bases The number of adenine bases equals the number of thymine bases The number of guanine bases equals the number of cytosine bases The basic structure of the DNA molecule is helical, with the bases being stacked on top of each other Deciphering DNA's structure.

sugar-phosphate chain bases THE DOUBLE HELIX 14

DNA Molecule The Impossibility of Information The DNA molecule is one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time. First described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, DNA is the famous storehouse of genetics that establishes each organism's physical characteristics.

DNA is like a fingerprint because everyone’s is a little different! How would the police look at DNA to figure out who committed a crime? You can tell people apart by their fingerprints……… and their DNA!

Within cells, DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes. DNA Molecule These chromosomes are duplicated before cells divide, in a process called DNA replication.