What is a gene? Homework #1 due 2/7 Bonus #1 due 2/28

Chains of DNA can store information:

Information flow in cells CB 5.25 Information flow in cells Protein

The relationship between DNA and genes a gene - DNA used to produce RNA or protein promoter coding region terminator non-gene DNA

Only a small percent of DNA codes for proteins CB 19.14 Only a small percent of DNA codes for proteins

DNA Composition: In humans: Each cell contains ~6 billion nucleotides of DNA. This DNA is ~2 meters long and 2 nm wide. ~98% does not directly code for amino acids In a single human cell only about 3-5% of genes are expressed at a time.

The length of DNA in each of your cells is longer than you are tall. human DNA in each cell The length of DNA in each of your cells is longer than you are tall. Width of DNA

DNA Composition: In humans: Each cell contains ~6 billion base pairs of DNA. This DNA is ~2 meters long and 2 nm wide. ~1.5% directly codes for amino acids ~25% is genes In a single human cell only about 5-10% of genes are expressed at a time.

The relationship between DNA and genes a gene - DNA used to produce RNA or protein promoter coding region terminator non-gene DNA

Five Perspectivesof a Gene

Genes act as units of heredity…storing and passing on information. CB 14.14

Genes act as units of heredity… storing and passing on information.

Genes are seen as a cause of disease

Genes are seen as a cause of disease

CB 5.21 Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a single nucleotide change in the hemoglobin gene

Genes code for proteins CB 5.25 Genes code for proteins Protein

Proteins are the “doers” of the cell. They act as: Enzymes Genes code for proteins… Proteins are the “doers” of the cell. They act as: Enzymes Structural Support Transporters Signals

Genes act as switches, controlling development

Genes act as switches, controlling development

CB 19.14 Genes are replicators (selfish gene)

Viruses infect living cells, take over, and produce more virus. CB 18.5 Viruses infect living cells, take over, and produce more virus.

Bodies are vessels for the transmission of genes

Five Perspectives of Genes: Genes act as units of heredity Genes are seen as a cause of disease Genes code for proteins Genes act as switches, controlling development Genes are replicators (selfish gene)

Transposons

Transposons: mobile DNA CB 19.16 Genes are replicators (selfish gene) Transposons: mobile DNA

Barbara McClintock, discoverer of transposons

Transposons are self-moving DNA

CB 19.16 Transposons move within genomes via the action of transposase (a protein)

Transposons: mobile DNA CB 19.16 Genes are replicators (selfish gene) Transposons: mobile DNA

CB 19.14 Genes are replicators (selfish gene)

What is a gene? Five Perspectives of Genes: Genes act as units of heredity Genes are seen as a cause of disease Genes code for proteins Genes act as switches, controlling development Genes are replicators (selfish gene) What is a gene? Homework #1 due 2/7…Bonus #1 due 2/28