DNA & Genes

• What does DNA stand for?

  Deoxyribonucleic acid
• What is DNA made of?

  It is a polymer of similar units
• How many strands does DNA have?

  Two strands
• What shape does DNA form?

  A double helix
• If you unraveled DNA from a single cell, how long would it be?

  Over two meters long
• How is DNA organized in a cell?

  Separated into 46 different sections
• What do we call the tightly coiled sections of DNA?

  Chromosomes
• How many chromosomes does each human cell have?

  46 chromosomes
• How many different types of chromosomes are there?

  23 different types
• What is a chromosome pair?

  Two of each chromosome type
• What are the sex chromosomes?

  X and Y chromosomes
• How do sex chromosomes differ between genders?

  Women have XX, men have XY
• When do chromosomes appear in an X shape?

  Just before cell division
• What is a gene?

  A small section of DNA coding for protein
• What does a gene code for?

  A particular sequence of amino acids
• How many different types of amino acids are there?

  20 different types
• How do amino acids form proteins?

  By combining in different sequences
• What type of protein do red blood cells need?

  Hemoglobin
• What does the term genome refer to?

  The entire set of genetic material
• How does an individual's genome compare to others?

  It differs from strangers, similar to parents
• What can scientists do with the complete human genome?

  Identify genes linked to diseases
• What is an inherited disease?

  A disease caused by inherited genes
• How can genes affect disease risk?

  They can increase the risk of diseases
• What can doctors do by examining genes?

  Choose more effective treatments
• How can genomes help trace human migrations?

  By showing genetic differences between populations
• What do all humans share in their genomes?

  Most of their genome
• What can small differences in genomes indicate?

  When populations separated in history
• What is the relationship between DNA, chromosomes, genes, and genomes?

  • DNA is the genetic material.
  • Chromosomes are tightly coiled DNA sections.
  • Genes are segments of DNA coding for proteins.
  • The genome is the complete set of genetic material.
• What are the differences between inherited diseases and risk-increasing genes?

  • Inherited diseases: caused by specific genes inherited from parents.
  • Risk-increasing genes: may not cause diseases but increase susceptibility.
• What are the implications of knowing the complete human genome?

  • Identifying disease-linked genes.
  • Developing targeted treatments.
  • Tracing human migrations.