Chapter 21 - DNA Biology and Technology

Chapter 8 - DNA Biology and Technology

DNA is the genetic material that is found in the form of chromosomes, mostly in the nucleus
of eukaryotic cells

The genetic material (DNA) must be able to:

Replicate to be passed on to the next generation
Store information
Undergo mutations to provide genetic diversity




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,DNA & RNA Comparison

Similarities Differences

Both are nucleic acids DNA is double stranded while RNA is single stranded

Made of nucleotides DNA has thymine (T) while RNA has uracil (U)

Have sugar-phosphate RNA is also found in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus while
backbones DNA is not

Found in the nucleus Deoxyribose is in DNA while there's ribose in RNA




Proteins
Composed of subunits of amino acids
Sequence of amino acids determines the shape of protein
Synthesized at the ribosomes
Important for diverse functions in the body including hormones, enzymes and transport
Can denature causing a loss of function




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, Gene Expression

Two Steps:

Transcription
A portion of DNA (gene) is read to make a mRNA in the nucleus of the cells · (i.e.: a sequence of nu

Translation
Reading the mRNA to make a protein in the cytoplasm · (i.e., a sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is




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