Chromosome/chromatin/chromatid video start 8:55
DNA is Deoxyribonucleic Acid Genetic material that carries the information about an organism and is passed from parent to offspring Directs a cell’s function Shape: Double helix (spiral ladder) Found in the nucleus
Ladder sides: Composed of a sugar (deoxyribose) and Phosphate. The ladder rungs attach then phosphate parts. Ladder rungs: made up of pairs of Nitrogen bases Structure video T: Thymine- only pairs with A A: Adenine- only pairs with T G: Guanine- only pairs with C C: Cytosine- only pairs with G
Combinations: Only possible combinations are; AT, TA, CG, GC. This combination creates the organism’s unique blue print
Unique Code: The order of the rungs (base pairs) are different and therefore provide the endless combinations for the diversity of life.
Replication process: Unzipping a zipper. DNA splits and floating available material in the cells fills in the defined spaces on the rungs. GO DNA Replication video RNA Ribonucleic Acid: only half of the ladder and is found throughout the cell. It is the photocopy of the DNA that is transferred to where it is needed in the cell.