DNA

• What does DNA stand for?

  Deoxyribonucleic acid
• What is DNA classified as?

  A polymer made of two strands of nucleotides, forming a double helix. It is contained in structures called chromosomes.
• If you unraveled DNA from a single cell, how long would it be?

  Over two meters long
• What do we call the tightly coiled sections of DNA?

  Chromosomes
• How many chromosomes does each human cell have?

  46 chromosomes
• What is unique about the 23rd pair of chromosomes?

  They are the sex chromosomes
• What chromosomes do women have?

  Two X chromosomes
• What chromosomes do men have?

  One X and one Y chromosome
• What is a gene?

  A small section of DNA on a chromosome. Each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids, to make a specific protein
• How many different types of amino acids are there?

  20 different types
• What protein do red blood cells need to transport oxygen?

  Haemoglobin
• What does the term genome refer to?

  The entire set of genetic material in an organism
• What can scientists identify by studying the human genome?

  Genes linked to certain diseases

  Understanding and treating inherited disorders

  Human migration patterns
• 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 are caused by specific genes.
  • Risk-increasing genes raise the likelihood of diseases.
• What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

  Dominant alleles are expressed over recessive ones
• What do homozygous and heterozygous mean?

  Homozygous has identical alleles; heterozygous has different alleles
• How do genes determine characteristics?

  They code for proteins that influence traits
• What are alleles?

  Different genetic codes for the same gene
• What does homozygous mean?

  Having two identical alleles for a gene
• What does heterozygous mean?

  Having two different alleles for a gene
• What is the genotype?

  The entire collection of alleles an organism has
• What is the phenotype?

  The observable characteristics from the genotype
• What are the basic units that make up DNA called?

  Nucleotides
• How many types of bases are there in DNA?

  Four
• What do the letters A, T, C, and G stand for in DNA?

  Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine
• What forms the sugar phosphate backbone of DNA?

  The phosphate of one nucleotide bonds to the sugar of another
• What is complementary base pairing?

  A pairs with T, C pairs with G
• What is a triplet in the context of DNA?

  A group of three bases
• What is the significance of the unique sequence of amino acids in proteins?

  It determines the protein's shape and function
• What are the main functions of proteins in cells?

  • Enzymes: Biological catalysts for reactions
  • Hormones: Carry messages in the body
  • Structural proteins: Provide strength to cells and tissues
• What is a nucleotide made of?

  A common sugar, a phosphate group and one of four different bases attached to the sugar
• Long strands of DNA consist of alternating sugar and phosphate sections. Attached to each sugar is one of the four bases.