DNA: Structure and function
Curriculum Expectations
D2.1 use appropriate terminology related to molecular genetics, including, but not limited to: polymerase I, II, and III, DNA ligase, helicase, Okazaki fragment, mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, codon, anticodon, translation, transcription, and ribosome subunits
D2.2 analyse a simulated strand of DNA to determine the genetic code and base pairing of DNA (e.g., determine base sequences of DNA for a protein; analyse base sequences in DNA to recognize an anomaly)
D3.1 explain the current model of DNA replication and describe the different repair mechanisms that can correct mistakes in DNA sequencing
D3.2 compare the structures and functions of RNA and DNA, and explain their roles in the process of protein synthesis
D2.2 analyse a simulated strand of DNA to determine the genetic code and base pairing of DNA (e.g., determine base sequences of DNA for a protein; analyse base sequences in DNA to recognize an anomaly)
D3.1 explain the current model of DNA replication and describe the different repair mechanisms that can correct mistakes in DNA sequencing
D3.2 compare the structures and functions of RNA and DNA, and explain their roles in the process of protein synthesis
Introduction
What is DNA?
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is a nucleic acid that stores the blueprint of life. It is called the blueprint of life as it is the source of all of the information needed to direct cellular function within an organism. It accomplishes this in two ways. The first is that it contains the information needed to make copies of itself in the form of DNA replication, allowing multiple cells to possess the same DNA. The second is that DNA can be deciphered and read within a cell to produce cellular instructions. |