That stands for: DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID Class Notes 1: DNA That stands for: DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

I. What does DNA do? DNA holds all the information that determines what an organism is. It is a set of instructions that tells each cell what types of proteins to make.

II. What is the structure of DNA? A. As we have seen, DNA is a long, skinny, molecule. 1. If we could see it more closely, we would see 2 strands, connected like a ladder. 2. The ladder is twisted in a double helix.

B. DNA is made of smaller, sub- units called nucleotides 1. Nucleotide - The basic unit of structure to form the DNA molecule 2. Three basic parts of a nucleotide Deoxyribose - a sugar made of 5 carbon atoms Phosphate group Nitrogen base (this part is different depending on the type of nucleotide)

** Diagram of one nucleotide Nitrogenous base Phosphate group Deoxyribose (sugar)

C. There are four nucleotides in DNA PURINES Guanine Adenine Cytosine Thymine PYRIMIDINES

Summary Where exactly is DNA located? (from your lab) What is the general structure of DNA? What are the subunits of DNA?