Dna Structure Function and Replication Activity
Dna Structure Function and Replication Activity
_____
Regents Living Environment
Campbell
Ms.
structural proteins.
1. All living organisms, including bacteria, plants, humans and other animals, are
made up of one or more cells. Explain why all living organisms need to have DNA.
Include the words genes and proteins in your explanation.
proteins the organism makes. The flowchart shows an example in humans. Two
different versions of a gene give the instructions for producing either a normal or
defective version of a protein enzyme which results in either normal skin and hair
color or albinism.
Gene in DNA
Protein
Characteristic
Albinism (very
pale skin and hair)
2. For most people, when a blood vessel is injured the clotting proteins in their
blood produce a blood clot which prevents excessive bleeding. However, some
people have a defective version of one type of clotting protein, so clots do not form
normally. As a result, they tend to bleed excessively after even minor injuries; they
have hemophilia. Explain how a person's DNA can determine whether or not he has
hemophilia.
This drawing shows a short section of a DNA double helix with a diagram of four of
the nucleotides in each strand of the double helix. Each nucleotide has:
a phosphate group (P) and a sugar molecule in the backbone of the DNA
strand
Each base in one strand of the DNA double helix pairs with a base in the other
strand of the double helix. The base-pairing rules describe which bases pair
together in a DNA double helix. Complete the following sentences to give the basepairing rules.
3. A in one strand always pairs with _____ in the other strand.
C in one strand always pairs with _____ in the other strand.
Since all the nucleotides in DNA are the same except for the base they contain,
each nucleotide is given the same symbol as the base it contains (A, C, G, or T).
A polymer consists of many repeats of a smaller
molecule (a monomer). For example, a protein is a
polymer of amino acids.
DNA Replication
Our bodies need to make new cells to grow or to replace
damaged cells. New cells are formed by cell division which
occurs when a cell divides into two daughter cells. Before a
cell can divide, the cell must make a copy of all its DNA; this is
called DNA replication.
6. Explain why DNA replication is needed before a cell divides
into two daughter cells.
9. Based on the function of DNA polymerase, explain why each part of the name
DNA polymerase (DNA, polymer, -ase) makes sense.
10. Explain how DNA polymerase, the double helix structure of DNA, and the basepairing rules work together to produce two identical copies of the original DNA
molecule.