Genetics

What is DNA?(Deoxyribonucleic acid)(Deoxyribonucleic acid)

The genetic materialThe genetic material

of all organisms.of all organisms.

What is the importance of DNA?

DNA’s double stranded structure allows for the process DNA’s double stranded structure allows for the process of replication.of replication.

Particular genes on the DNA are selectively copied in a process known as transcription and then are used in translation.

Where is this DNA?

The Link Between Genes and Traits

A gene is defined as a unit of A gene is defined as a unit of heredity. Genes are described heredity. Genes are described according to the way they affect according to the way they affect the traits or characteristics of an the traits or characteristics of an organism. organism.

The Structure of DNA

Base Pairs

There are four base pairs in DNA:There are four base pairs in DNA:

T = ThymineA = AdenineG = GuanineC = Cytosine

Complete the other strand

A C G C G A T A T A G C T G AA C G C G A T A T A G C T G A

T GT G C G C T A T A T C G A C TC G C T A T A T C G A C T

Codons

Each group of 3 nucleotides is known as a codon.Each group of 3 nucleotides is known as a codon.

The sequence corresponds to a particular amino acid The sequence corresponds to a particular amino acid later on during translation.later on during translation.

Human Genome Project

The largest internationally coordinated undertaking in The largest internationally coordinated undertaking in the history of biological research.the history of biological research.

A great benefit from this project is the ability to identify A great benefit from this project is the ability to identify our genes.our genes.

““Tests can be done to show the relative fragility of the DNA in Tests can be done to show the relative fragility of the DNA in a specific person. Fragility of DNA has been linked to a a specific person. Fragility of DNA has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer. You are on the Board of higher incidence of cancer. You are on the Board of Directors for a chemical company whose products have Directors for a chemical company whose products have been shown to be carcinogenic but are very profitable. You been shown to be carcinogenic but are very profitable. You must decide upon the company policies for hiring new staff must decide upon the company policies for hiring new staff and whether or not genetic testing will be done to determine and whether or not genetic testing will be done to determine the fragility of the prospective employee’s DNA in an effort the fragility of the prospective employee’s DNA in an effort to prevent a lawsuit in future years from the employee.”to prevent a lawsuit in future years from the employee.”

Ramifications of theHuman Genome Project