17.

2 DNA
1. Describe the structure of a DNA molecule:

(a)two strands coiled together to form a double helix

(b)each strand is made up of a chain of nucleotides
(c) each nucleotide contains a base (A, T, C, G – full names not
required)
(d)bonds between pairs of bases hold the strands together
(e)the bases always pair up in the same way: A with T, and C with
G
2 Define a gene as a length of DNA that codes for a protein
3. Explain that DNA controls cell function by controlling the
production of
proteins, including enzymes
4. State that the sequence of bases in a gene determines the
 The pattern of
inheritance and variation
Heredity: tendency of an individual to
resemble his parents
Variation: the differences between
individuals of the same species
Genetics: the study of how characters /traits are
transferred or inherited from one generation
to the next & what
causes resemblance and difference among
organisms
 Chromosomes -- Genetic
materials
 Genetic materials found inside the nucleus of a
cell
 Appear as very thin & thread-like structures called
Chromatins
 In dividing cell chromatin condenses to form
chromosomes
 Each specie has definite Number of
chromosomes in each cell
 Somatic cell has Diploid Number of chromosomes
i-e 2 set of chromosomes
 While gametes have half number of chromosomes
DNA-- nucleic acids – Genetic material
Chromosomes are made up of DNA and protein
• DNA controls cell function by controlling the production of proteins
DNA is very long, thin molecule-- made up of a chain of 4 different
type of nucleotides
Each nucleotide consists of ... A phosphate molecule, a pentose
sugar and one of the four nitrogen bases [A, T, C, G]
Each nucleotide is different because of different N-base
Nucleotides held by a covalent bond to make long strand of DNA
In a DNA molecule two strands coiled together to form a double helix
The strands held together by Hydrogen bonds between pairs of bases
The bases always pair up in the following way:
A double H- bonds with T and
C triple H-bond with G
 gene -- Genetic materials
 Gene is unit of inheritance and is inherited to next generation
 Gene is a length of DNA along Chromosome that codes
for a protein
 The place on chromosome where gene resides is called
gene locus
 Genes specifies a particular character, responsible for synthesis of
specific protein including enzymes
• Sequence of bases in a gene determines the sequence
of amino acids needed to make a specific protein
• Different sequence of amino acids give a different
shape to protein molecule
Gene unit of inheritance
Role of chromosome in inheritance
 Chromosomes/genes inherited from one generation to
the next during reproduction
 As asexual reproduction followed by mitotic division so
chromosomes/genes are copied
 So no variation in the next generation. Resulting
progeny is exact copy of parent
 In sexual reproduction meiosis takes place during
gamete formation so homologous chromosomes
shuffled/exchange their gene
 So variation occur in the next generation. Resulting
progenies are different from parent, their hereditary
information are also not similar
 Homologous Chromosomes
 In a somatic cell chromosomes exist in
matching pairs called homologous pairs
 One member of pair is inherited from mother
& other from father
 Human somatic cell has 46 chromosomes i-
e 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes
 One out of23 pairs is of sex chromosomes
while rest 22 pairs are called autosomes
 Autosomes are numbered chromosomes are
similar in shape, size and arrangement of
genes, containing genes not relating to sex
 While sex chromosomes may or may not
similar in shape, size and arrangement of
genes and contain genes relating to sex
 Genes on homologous pair also exist in form of
matching pairs
 Members of homologous chromosomes carry the
same genes, controlling same character, occur on
same loci
 Such matching pair of genes is called alleles
 Each gene specifies a trait & each trait is
controlled by two alleles
 But these alleles may be of different
forms/effects
 Alleles Alternative forms of same genes occupy the
same position in a pair of the homologous
chromosomes controlling the same character but
may have same or different expression e-g
 Allele --- phenotype &
genotype
 Alleles are responsible for variation in character
 Allele exist in 2 forms --dominant & recessive
 Allele said to be dominant if always expressed in the organism and
represented by capital letter
 Allele said to be recessive if it expressed itself when it is present on
both chromosomes of pair and represented by small letter
 For a specific character Allele may be same or may be different on
both chromosomes and organism is said to be
homozygous if both alleles are same (e-g TT or tt)
heterozygous if both alleles are different (e-g Tt)
 Genotype refers to genetic makeup of an organism i-e genes & their
respective alleles
 Phenotype -- an expressed trait(that can be seen) of individual are the
result of interaction between allele’s pair, and is determined by
genotype
Genotype & Phenotype for a specific trait
 Therefore an organism may inherit one of the following
three genotypes
 Both dominant alleles 1 from each parent -homozygous
dominant (TT)
 Both recessive alleles 1 from each parent --homozygous
recessive (tt)
 1 dominant & 1 recessive alleles from each parent --
heterozygous (Tt)
 At least one of the dominant allele in genotype, then
individual show dominant feature in its phenotype.
 Thus the homozygous dominant & heterozygous
genotype will give same phenotype while homozygous
recessive have opposite phenotype.
 Homozygous are pure bred means on self fertilizing they