1. DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid

2. DNA Structure

3. What is DNA? The information that determines an organisms traits.
Stores and passes on genetic information from one generation to the next.
DNA produces proteins which gives it “The power”
Many things contain and are made of proteins.
Skin, hair, bones, etc are made of proteins.

4. What is DNA? Cont’d Enzymes are special proteins.
Enzymes control chemical reactions needed for life.
DNA contains all the information for making all and any proteins for human life.

5. DNA Structure: DNA is made of repeating subunits called nucleotides.
Nucleotides have three parts:
Simple sugar
Phosphate group
Nitrogen base

6. 1 Nucleotide
Phosphate Group
Nitrogen Base
Sugar (Deoxyribose)

7. DNA Structure The simple sugar is called deoxyribose.
The phosphate group is made of phosphate and oxygen.

8. DNA Structure Four possible Nitrogen Bases: Thymine (T) Adenine (A)
Cytosine (C)
Guanine (G)

9. DNA Nucleotides join together to form long chains.
“Backbone”
Nucleotides join together to form long chains.
The phosphate group of one nucleotide joins together with the deoxyribose sugar of an adjacent nucleotide.
“Teeth”

10. Adenine & Thymine (A-T)
DNA
Nitrogen bases pair up
Adenine & Thymine (A-T)
Cytosine & Guanine
(C-G)
Complementary bases

11. Watson & Crick and Franklin, 1953
Rosalind Franklin is the first one to see the DNA
Watson and Crick Proposed DNA is put together like a “twisted zipper”
DNA = 2 chains of nucleotides joined by nitrogen bases

12. Watson & Crick, 1953 Double Helix
Double = DNA has two strands
Helix = twisted like a spring, “spiral”

14. Importance of Sequencing
The sequence of the four different nucleotides determines what organism is created.
For instance: T-A-A-G-C-A is different than A-G-C-A-A-G
Another example: E-A-R-T-H is different than
H-E-A-R-T
vs.

15. Importance of Sequencing
The more similar the order of nucleotides are, the closer the relationship between 2 organisms