Intro to DNA

• What does DNA stand for?

  Deoxyribonucleic acid
• What is the primary function of DNA?

  To store all necessary information to control cellular activity
• Where is DNA primarily located in a cell?

  In the nucleus of the cell
• What is the structure of DNA when it is not condensed?

  It is found in a long spaghetti-like structure called the chromatin network
• What happens to DNA during cell replication?

  The chromatin network condenses to form chromosomes
• How many chromosomes do humans have?

  46 chromosomes
• What are chromosomes made of?

  Long thin intertwined thread-like structures of DNA wound around proteins
• What are genes?


  Short segments of code used to create different proteins
• What is the role of chromatids in chromosomes?

  They are identical arms of a replicated chromosome
• What is the centromere?


  The region that attaches two chromatids together
• What are the p arm and q arm of a chromosome?

  The shorter and longer arms of chromosomes, respectively
• What are histone proteins?

  Globular proteins that give chromosomes shape and protect DNA
• What are nucleotides?


  The building blocks or monomers of DNA molecules
• What are the three components of a nucleotide?

  A phosphate group, a sugar, and a nitrogen base
• What is the significance of the sugar in DNA?

  It is called deoxyribose, which is part of the name DNA
• How many nitrogenous bases are there in DNA?

  Four nitrogenous bases
• What are the complementary base pairs in DNA?


  Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine
• What is the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA?

  It is the structure formed by the phosphates and sugars along each side of the DNA strand
• What type of bonds connect complementary nitrogenous bases?

  Weak hydrogen bonds
• What are purines and pyrimidines?

  Purines are double-ringed structures (adenine and guanine), and pyrimidines are single-ringed structures (thymine and cytosine)
• What is the function of DNA in organisms?

  To provide the DNA sequence or code for creating proteins and regulating cellular activities
• How does the DNA code vary among organisms?

  The order of the four letters (A, T, G, C) differs among organisms
• What is the first function of DNA?

  To carry hereditary information
• How does DNA contribute to an organism's growth and development?

  By coding for protein synthesis
• Why is DNA replication important?

  It ensures that genetic code is passed on during cellular division
• What is the significance of passing DNA to the next generation?

  It ensures the survivability of the species