1. The Structure of the DNA Molecule
“The finger print that is inside your body!”

2. DNA’s Functions:
Stores genetic information to build and maintain a living organism
Copies itself

3. James Watson & Francis Crick 1953
Determined the three- dimensional structure of DNA
One of the greatest discoveries in the history of science
Nobel prize in 1962

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

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

6. Genes
Each chromosome contains 100s to 1000s of information blocks called genes
Each gene is the blueprint for a specific protein in the body
- may tell our body what color our eyes are supposed to be, dozens of proteins are responsible for synthesis of ATP, digesting food, etc, etc etc

7. 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!

8. 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.

9. DNA is made up of steps and rails of a ladder.
This is a rail
This is a step

10. DNA Bases
Each nucleotide is made up of a sugar, a phosphate and a base.
There are 4 different bases in a DNA molecule:
Adenine can only go with Thymine
Guanine can only go with Cytosine

11. Deciphering DNA's structure.
4. The number of purine bases equals the number of pyrimidine bases 5. The number of adenine bases equals the number of thymine bases 6. The number of guanine bases equals the number of cytosine bases 7. The basic structure of the DNA molecule is helical, with the bases being stacked on top of each other

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