Slide 1
Biomolecules: DNA and Heredity
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a biomolecule that carries genetic information.
- Heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring.
- DNA plays a crucial role in the inheritance of traits and determining our genetic makeup.
- In this lecture, we will explore the structure and functions of DNA and discuss how it relates to heredity.
Slide 2
Structure of DNA
- DNA is composed of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA.
- A nucleotide consists of three components:
- A sugar molecule called deoxyribose
- A phosphate group
- A nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, or thymine)
- The two strands of DNA are connected by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
Slide 3
DNA Replication
- During DNA replication, the two strands of DNA separate.
- Each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand.
- This process ensures that each new cell receives an identical copy of the genetic information.
- DNA replication is a vital step in cell division and the transmission of genetic information to offspring.
Slide 4
Transcription: From DNA to RNA
- Transcription is the process by which DNA is used as a template to produce RNA.
- RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is similar to DNA but contains the sugar ribose instead of deoxyribose.
- RNA uses the nitrogenous base uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) found in DNA.
- Transcription is essential for protein synthesis and gene expression.
Slide 5
Translation: From RNA to Proteins
- Translation is the process of converting the information in RNA into a sequence of amino acids to form proteins.
- This process takes place at the ribosomes, which are cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.
- Each set of three nucleotides in RNA, called a codon, corresponds to a specific amino acid.
- The genetic code, also known as the codon chart, provides the correspondence between codons and amino acids.
Slide 6
Genetic Mutations
- Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can alter the genetic information.
- Mutations can be caused by various factors, such as exposure to mutagenic agents or errors in DNA replication.
- Some mutations have no noticeable effect, while others can lead to genetic disorders or other significant changes.
- Examples of genetic mutations include point mutations, insertions, deletions, and chromosomal alterations.
Slide 7
DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Cells have evolved sophisticated DNA repair mechanisms to correct errors and mutations in DNA.
- These mechanisms include:
- Proofreading by DNA polymerase during DNA replication
- Mismatch repair to fix errors that escape proofreading
- Nucleotide excision repair to remove damaged or incorrect nucleotides
- Failure in DNA repair mechanisms can have severe consequences, including the development of cancer.
Slide 8
Heredity and Genetic Traits
- Genetic traits are characteristics that are passed down from parents to offspring.
- Genes, which are segments of DNA, contain the instructions for specific traits.
- Different alleles or versions of a gene can result in variations of a trait.
- The expression of genes and the inheritance of traits follow Mendelian principles.
Slide 9
Inheritance Patterns
- Inheritance patterns can be categorized into different types:
- Autosomal dominant: One copy of an altered gene is sufficient to express the trait.
- Autosomal recessive: Two copies of the altered gene are required to express the trait.
- X-linked recessive: The altered gene is located on the X chromosome, leading to gender-specific inheritance patterns.
- Pedigree analysis is often used to study inheritance patterns in families.
Slide 10
Examples of Genetic Disorders
- Genetic disorders are conditions caused by abnormalities or mutations in genes.
- Examples of genetic disorders include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Huntington’s disease
- Down syndrome
- Understanding the genetic basis of these disorders can aid in diagnosis, treatment, and management.
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