DNA

• DNA

  Deoxyribonucleic acid, the chemical that makes up the genetic material in a cell
• DNA contains coded information
• Chromosomes

  Really long structures made of DNA, normally come in pairs
• DNA structure

  A polymer made up of two strands coiled together in the shape of a double helix
• Gene

  A small section of DNA found on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein
• Amino acids

  Only 20 amino acids are used to make thousands of different proteins
• DNA determines what proteins the cell produces
• DNA determines what proteins the cell produces


  That in turn determines what type of cell it is
• Genome

  The entire set of genetic material in an organism
• Scientists have worked out the complete human genome
• Understanding the human genome

  An important tool for science and medicine
• Benefits of understanding the human genome

  • Identifying genes linked to diseases
  • Understanding inherited diseases
  • Developing effective treatments
  • Tracing migration of populations
• All modern humans are descended from a common ancestor who lived in Africa
• The human genome is mostly identical in all individuals
• Different populations developed tiny differences in their genomes as they migrated away from Africa
• Investigating differences in genomes helps scientists understand human migration