Day, Mudd, Werstlein

Unit 3: DNA and Genetics

Module 6: Molecular Basis of Heredity
NC Essential Standard
3.1 Explain how traits are determined by the structure and function of
DNA

How much DNA is in my body?

DNA is found in every cell (except red blood cells)

Each cell contains roughly 2 meters of DNA containing ~3 BILLION base pairs

The human body has ~ 10,000,000,000,0000 cells

If you unraveled all the DNA from all of your cells and stretched it out end to end, it
would stretch to the sun and back several times!

You could fit 25,000 strands of DNA side by side in the width of a human hair!

I.

What is DNA?
A. Importance of DNA
1. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is one of two
nucleic acids found in the cell.
2. DNA is the blueprint for life. Every living thing uses DNA

DNA
What?
Where?
Used for?

as a code for making proteins which determine traits. For

example, DNA contains the instructions for making special
proteins (called pigments) which give your eyes color.
3. DNA is packaged in chromosomes. Each chromosome is
composed of one continuous DNA molecule. The DNA
molecule is wrapped around proteins and coiled tightly for
protection.
4. Remember, chromosomes are found in the nucleus of
eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells have a single
chromosome free-floating in the cytoplasm.

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B. Discovery of DNA structure

1. Many scientists worked to determine the source of
heredity. Heredity is the passing of traits from parent to
offspring. But how are those traits passed?
Watch It!

a. First, scientists determined that chromosomes

controlled heredity and are made of DNA and proteins.
b. Then, scientists determined DNA was the chemical that
controlled characteristics (traits) of the organisms.
c. Then, the race was on to reveal the chemical structure
of the DNA molecule.
2. Rosalind Franklin was the first to take a clear picture of
DNA using a technique called X-ray crystallography. The
picture offered a clue to the shape of DNA.
3. Watson and Crick received credit for finalizing the model of
DNA by using the picture taken by Franklin (given to them
by Franklins research assistant Maurice Wilkins), and by
synthesizing work completed by other scientists.
C. Structure of the DNA molecule

(From small to large)

N_______ base +
sugar + phosphate

1. DNA is a double helix. The double helix looks like a

twisted ladder.
2. The building blocks of DNA are called nucleotides. A
nucleotide consists of three parts:

N____________

a. A sugar (named deoxyribose)

b. A phosphate group

Two strands held by

________ ________
D________H_______

c. One of four nitrogen bases. The four possible

nitrogen bases in a DNA molecule are named:
i.

Adenine (A)

ii.

Thymine (T)

iii. Guanine (G)

iv. Cytosine (C)
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3. There are two strands of nucleotides in every DNA

molecule held together by weak hydrogen bonds that
occur in the middle between the nitrogen bases.
4. The nitrogen bases bond in a specific way. Adenine bonds
with thymine (AT). Guanine bonds with cytosine (G-C).
This pattern is called complementary base pairing.
On this diagram,
highlight a nucleotide.
Then write out the
NAME of the sugar
beside one of the
sugar molecules.
Finally, draw a box
around the
backbone and label.
coris.noaa.gov/glossary/ nucleotide_186.jpg

Check Yourself!
1. How is DNA connected to your traits?
2. What larger structure is composed of DNA?
3. What two parts of the nucleotide make up the sides
(backbones) of a DNA molecule?
4. What makes up one rung/ step of the DNA ladder?
5. What type of bond holds the rungs together?

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II.

Do all my cells have the same DNA?

A. DNA replication copies DNA for new cells

Watch It!

1. DNA is needed in each cell to make necessary proteins.

2. Because DNA is so important, when a cell divides, it must
pass on an exact copy of the DNA to function correctly.
3. Therefore, DNA is copied (replicated) during the S phase of
the cell cycle (part of interphase, before mitosis/meiosis).
B. Process of DNA replication
1. An enzyme breaks the weak hydrogen bonds between the
paired nitrogen bases. This allows DNA to unzip as the

Enzyme Review!
What are enzymes?

two strands move apart.

2. The newly unpaired nucleotides are paired (A-T and G-C)
with extra nucleotides present in the nucleus. This process

How do enzymes
work?

is catalyzed by another enzyme.

3. Enzymes then link the nucleotides along the newly
constructed side of the DNA ladder by bonding sugar to
phosphate.
4. The DNA is proofread by enzymes for any errors.
C. Result of DNA replication
1. Two identical DNA molecules have been produced. Each

Replication
What?

daughter DNA molecule is composed of one old strand

Where?

chain of nucleotides.)

Used for?

and one new strand. (Here a strand refers to one

2. Each copy of DNA is packaged as a chromatid on a
doubled chromosome.

When?

3. After mitosis, each daughter cell will receive one of the two
identical copies of DNA. This happens when the doubled
chromosome is split, each new chromosome going to a
new daughter cell.

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Check Yourself!
1. Why does each cell need DNA?

2. What is the name of the process which makes a copy

of DNA?
3. When does DNA replication occur?
4. What catalyzes each step of DNA replication?
5. At the end of DNA replication, each molecule is composed of one ______
strand and one ________ strand.
III.

How can DNA be used by the cell to make a protein?

A. Importance of protein synthesis

What is a trait?

1. Every inherited trait is controlled by one or more proteins.

Protein synthesis is the process that makes those proteins.

How are the terms

protein and trait
related?

2. Each cell must produce different proteins, based on the

function of that cell. For example, only blood cells need to
produce the protein hemoglobin.
B. Central Dogma of Biology the central axis around which all other
biological concepts rotate
1. DNA structure controls the production of proteins.
a. A section of DNA which is used as the blueprint or code
for the production of a protein is a gene.
b. Each gene is composed of a specific sequence of

Three DNA nucleotides

makes a _________.
One codon controls
the placement of one
_______ ________.
Many amino acids
make a _________.

nucleotides. This sequence can be represented by

writing the order of nitrogen bases. For example,
ACGCCATGCTAC
c. Every three bases in this sequence is called a codon.
A codon is like a single word in a sentence. Only by
putting the words (codons) in the correct order can
you create a meaningful sentence (protein).
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d. Proteins are made of amino acids. Each codon directs

Rewrite the Central
Dogma as a sentence
(use all of the words!)

the cell to place a specific amino acid in a particular

position as the protein is built. For example, the codon
CAA in DNA codes for the amino acid valine. If this
codon was the third codon in a gene, valine would be
the third amino acid in the protein.
2. Diagram of the Central Dogma
DNA --------------- RNA ---------------- Protein
(transcription)

C. Process of protein synthesis

(translation)

1. Transcription rewrites the DNA code as messenger RNA

a. DNA cannot leave the nucleus (it is far too big) to go
the ribosomes where proteins are made. Thus, it must
send the instructions using RNA.
b. mRNA copies the DNA when the DNA unzips one
How does
transcription produce
a script based on
DNA?

section called a gene. One gene makes one protein.

c. messengerRNA is constructed one nucleotide at a
time using one side of the DNA as a template.
d. All RNA has a different sugar (ribose) which cannot
bond to thymine. Thus, RNA must use a different
nitrogen base (uracil) as a substitute for thymine (T).
If the DNA read CTA, the mRNA would be GAU.
e. mRNA leaves the nucleus through a small opening in
the nuclear membrane called a pore.
f. The DNA rezips the gene.

Highlight the mRNA.

biology.unm.edu//images/transcription.gif

mRNA

Explain this diagram.

DNA

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2. Translation uses the mRNA to build a protein

a. In the cytoplasm of the cell, translation occurs at the
How does translation
read the script
produced in
transcription?

ribosome. Ribosomes are made of rRNA (ribosomal

RNA) and proteins.
b. The mRNA start codon (AUG) attaches to the
ribosome. The ribosome holds mRNA and helps link
amino acids together to make a protein.
c. tRNA (transfer RNA) is a molecule that carries an
amino acid to the ribosome. In order for the tRNA to
leave the amino acid at the ribosome, the tRNA must
bond with a complementary codon on the mRNA.
d. The ribosome allows the tRNA anticodon (made of
three bases at the bottom of each tRNA) and the

Watch It!

complementary mRNA codon to pair.

e. The amino acid is removed from the tRNA by an
enzyme. As each new amino acid arrives on a tRNA,
amino acids are bonded together IN ORDER by a
peptide bond to form a polypeptide.
f. When the ribosome reaches a stop codon, it releases
the mRNA and the string of amino acids separately.
The string of amino acids folds and coils to shape the
protein.

Highlight the protein.

Explain this diagram.

www.wikipedia.org

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3. Result of protein synthesis

What is the END
RESULT of protein
synthesis?

a. Cells respond to their environments by producing

different types and amounts of protein.
b. The cell produces proteins that are structural (forming
part of the cell materials) or functional (such as
enzymes, hormones, or chemicals for in cell chemistry).
c. All of an organisms cells have the same DNA, but the
cells differ based on the expression of the genes.
i.

Multicellular organisms begin as

undifferentiated masses of cells. Variation in

Watch It!

DNA activity determines cell types.

ii.

Different types of cells expressing different

genes leads to differentiation. Only
specific parts of the DNA are activated in
those cells. Once a cell differentiates, the
process cannot be reversed. For example, we
have muscle cells, nerve cells, and others.

iii. Gene regulation is the process which

determines which genes will be expressed
If gene regulation
were not possible,
would cell
specialization happen?
Why/why not?

(used to make a protein). This can be

affected by the cells history and/or
environment. Proteins may be overproduced,
underproduced or produced at incorrect
times. Ex: Injury repair and cancer
d. Each individual in a sexually reproducing population
has slightly differing sequences of nucleotides in DNA
when compared to other organisms of the same
specie. The different sequences lead to different
proteins, which produce different traits (i.e. variation).
For example, two humans with different eye color.
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Check Yourself!
1. What controls inherited traits?
2. What controls the production of proteins?
3. Define a gene.
4. Diagram the central dogma of biology.
5. What is the purpose of transcription?
6. What type of RNA is used in transcription?
7. What nitrogen base in RNA is used as a substitution for thymine?
8. What is the purpose of translation?
9. What two types of RNA are used only in translation?
10. What type of bond links amino acids?
11. What are some examples of proteins?
IV.

Whth appensw henp roteins ynthesisg oesw rong_?

12. What causes cell A.

specialization?
A mutation is a change in the original DNA sequence, which may
Why does a change in
DNA mean a change in
lead to a change in the amino acid sequence.
the protein could
B. A mutation occurs when the original DNA sequence is not copied
happen?
properly during replication or protein synthesis. Mutations can be
spontaneous or caused by radiation and/or chemical exposure.
C. The result of a mutation is a change in the amino acid sequence.
The necessary protein may not be made or is defective. This can
change the traits of the cell or organism. Only mutations in sex
cells (egg and sperm) or in the gamete can result in heritable
Watch It!

changes.
D. There are two types of gene mutations:
1. Point (or substitution) mutations occur when a single
base is replaced with a different base. (For example, A is
replaced with C.)
Ex. GATTACA GAGTACA
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a. A point mutation, if it occurs on a gene, may result in

the change of a single amino acid within the protein.
b. Sickle cell anemia, a disease that results in misshapen
red blood cells, is caused by a point mutation.
2. Frameshift mutations occur when a single base is added
(addition frameshift) or deleted (deletion frameshift)
Compare/Contrast point and
frameshift mutations using a
Venn or T-chart:

within the sequence. Because DNA and the mRNA copy

are read three bases (a codon) at a time, this type of
mutation shifts the reading frame.
Ex. GAT/TAC/ATT GAT/TAA/CAT/T
a. The effect of a frameshift depends on the location of
the addition or deletion. The earlier within the gene
sequence the base is added or deleted, the more
amino acids will be changed.
b. Huntingtons Disease, a disease that results in the
progressive loss of nervous system function, may be
caused by the insertion of several bases.

Check Yourself!
1. Define mutation.
2. What is the result of a mutation?
3. What are the two types of mutation?
4. What type of mutation is illustrated in the title of this section of notes (IV)?
5. Which type of mutation may affect a greater number of amino acids?

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DNAs Two Jobs

Replication
Takes place in
the __________
Occurs before
_____
_________

Both

Protein Synthesis

Uses DNA

Takes place in
the ______ and
cytoplasm
(___________)

_________
needed
Can produce
________

Produces two
_______ strands
of DNA

Occurs during
the ____ _____
of the cell
Produces
_________

Uses the entire

_____
_________

Uses a section of
the DNA
molecule called a
______
Uses 3 types of
_____ (rRNA,
mRNA, tRNA)

Word Bank:
Cell Division
DNA molecule
Enzymes

Gene
Identical
Mutations

Normal life
Nucleus
Nucleus

Proteins
RNA
Ribosome

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Unit 3 / Module 6
Problem-Solving Set
1. On the DNA diagram below:
a. Place an S in each shape that indicates sugar (deoxyribose)
b. Place a P in each shape that indicates phosphate
c. Complete the missing nitrogen bases
d. Write an HB on a line that represents a hydrogen bond
e. Draw a box around one nucleotide

G
A
T
A

2. Every living organism has DNA. ALL DNA is made of 4 types of nucleotides. What
makes human DNA different from oak tree or frog DNA?

3. A molecule of DNA is analyzed for its adenine content and is found to contain 22%
adenine. What is the content of the other 3 nitrogen bases?
Adenine 22%
Thymine - _____
Guanine - _____
Cytosine - _____

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4. Put the steps of DNA replication in the correct sequence:

_____ Free nucleotides pair with newly unpaired nucleotides
_____ The DNA molecule unzips
_____ Enzymes break hydrogen bonds
_____ Enzymes re-zip the DNA molecule
_____ Two identical molecules of DNA are complete
5. In the sequence below, what is the molecule labeled A? The molecule labeled B?
A --------------- B --------------- Protein
(transcription)

(translation)

A = __________ B = ____________
6. Label the diagram of Protein Synthesis using the following terms:
Ribosome mRNA tRNA Codon Amino acid Peptide bond

mRNA codon chart:

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7. Use the mRNA codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence for the DNA
sequence below.
DNA

TAC

GCT

CAC

AAA

CGC

ATC

mRNA -

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

tRNA -

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______

amino acids - _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______

8. Use the mRNA codon chart to determine the codons that would code for the amino
acid tyrosine.
__________ or __________
9. If the mRNA sequence reads UCACCUACGGUG, what is the sequence of DNA that it
was transcribed from?
DNA - __________________________________________
An original gene sequence in DNA reads TACGTTCCCGAT.
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10. Transcribe the above sequence to mRNA:

_____________________________________________
Use the mRNA codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence coded for:
__________ __________ __________ __________
11. Re-write the DNA sequence assuming that a point mutation has occurred and the first
G in the sequence is replaced with a T:
______________________________________________
Transcribe the DNA sequence into mRNA:
______________________________________________
Use the mRNA codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence coded for:
__________ __________ __________ __________
How did the point mutation affect the polypeptide chain?

12. Rewrite the DNA sequence assuming that a frameshift mutation has occurred and the
first C in the sequence is deleted.
_______________________________________________
Transcribe the DNA sequence into mRNA:
_______________________________________________
Use the mRNA codon chart to determine the amino acid sequence coded for:
__________ __________ __________
How did the frameshift mutation affect the polypeptide chain?

13. ABCDE ABFDE illustrates a _______________ mutation.

14. ABCDE ABCFDE illustrates a _________________ mutation.

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