Unit 11: Genetics and Genetic Engineering Learning aim A: Understand the structure
and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene expression and the process of
protein synthesis.
Index
Introduction,
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),
Ribonucleic acid (RNA),
Structure and Main features of nucleic acids,
Protein Synthesis,
Mutations,
References.
Introduction.
This report will explain the structure and function of DNA and various nucleic acids, it will also show
the functional role of nucleic acids in DNA in the stages of protein synthesis and assess the impact of
error in the stages of protein synthesis.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Features:
Double stranded helix,
Two chains of deoxyribose sugars and phosphate groups that run in completely different
directions,
Hydrogen bonds form between complementary base pairs,
Base pairings of adenine with cytosine and guanine with thymine do not occur because a
purine base always pairs with a pyrimidine base and therefore a pairs with t. Because of
complementary base pairing.
DNA Contains thymine,
The nitrogenous base is ATCG,
Contains the information and instructions for protein synthesis,
Made up of nucleotides.
DNA also known as Deoxyribonucleic acid is found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the sole
purpose of DNA is to code genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits.
There are three groups that make up nucleotides that are a phosphate group, a sugar group and one
nitrogen base. There are also four types of nitrogen bases in the DNA that include adenine, cytosine,
guanine and the two pyrimidines include cytosine and thymine. The Nitrogen bases connect form one
purine and one pyrimidine, the bases that connect are A connects with T and G connects with C on
the opposite strand, and this type of base pairing is known as a complementary base paring. The
bonds that form between complementary base pairings are hydrogen bonds which are weaker than
full ionic bonds and there is a large number of them so it strongly bonds together. Although these
bonds are strong DNA is able to unzip itself for processes such as cell division. DNA contains
information and instructions on how to make proteins, proteins that act like enzymes, hormones, and
structural support
1
and function of nucleic acids in order to describe gene expression and the process of
protein synthesis.
Index
Introduction,
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA),
Ribonucleic acid (RNA),
Structure and Main features of nucleic acids,
Protein Synthesis,
Mutations,
References.
Introduction.
This report will explain the structure and function of DNA and various nucleic acids, it will also show
the functional role of nucleic acids in DNA in the stages of protein synthesis and assess the impact of
error in the stages of protein synthesis.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Features:
Double stranded helix,
Two chains of deoxyribose sugars and phosphate groups that run in completely different
directions,
Hydrogen bonds form between complementary base pairs,
Base pairings of adenine with cytosine and guanine with thymine do not occur because a
purine base always pairs with a pyrimidine base and therefore a pairs with t. Because of
complementary base pairing.
DNA Contains thymine,
The nitrogenous base is ATCG,
Contains the information and instructions for protein synthesis,
Made up of nucleotides.
DNA also known as Deoxyribonucleic acid is found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the sole
purpose of DNA is to code genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits.
There are three groups that make up nucleotides that are a phosphate group, a sugar group and one
nitrogen base. There are also four types of nitrogen bases in the DNA that include adenine, cytosine,
guanine and the two pyrimidines include cytosine and thymine. The Nitrogen bases connect form one
purine and one pyrimidine, the bases that connect are A connects with T and G connects with C on
the opposite strand, and this type of base pairing is known as a complementary base paring. The
bonds that form between complementary base pairings are hydrogen bonds which are weaker than
full ionic bonds and there is a large number of them so it strongly bonds together. Although these
bonds are strong DNA is able to unzip itself for processes such as cell division. DNA contains
information and instructions on how to make proteins, proteins that act like enzymes, hormones, and
structural support
1
