DNA

• DNA is made from two strands that are wrapped around each other in a double helix structure
• Each DNA strand is made up of nucleotides, which consist of a phosphate, a sugar, and a base
• There are four different types of bases in DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)
• The phosphate of one nucleotide bonds to the sugar of the next nucleotide to form a polymer
• The sugar-phosphate backbone forms a protective outer casing around the bases in the middle of the DNA molecule
• Complementary base pairing is when A always pairs with T and C always pairs with G
• The sequence of bases in DNA is referred to as the genetic code
• A gene is a specific sequence of bases that codes for a particular protein
• Each group of three bases in DNA is called a triplet and codes for a specific amino acid
• Proteins are made by combining amino acids in the order specified by the DNA sequence
• Proteins have unique shapes that allow them to carry out specific functions in the body
• Proteins are used in enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, hormones to carry messages, and structural proteins to add strength to cells and tissues