Human Cells: DNA Structure, Replication and Human Genomics
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What is the structure of DNA?
DNA consists of 2 strands of nucleotides (double stranded) coiled into a double helix.
What are the components of DNA nucleotides?
DNA nucleotides contain deoxyribose sugar, phosphate, and a base.
What are the four bases of DNA?
The four bases are adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.
What are the complementary base pairs in DNA?
Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine.
How are the bases in the two strands of DNA joined?
Bases in the two strands are joined by hydrogen bonds.
What is the orientation of the DNA strands?
The strands are antiparallel, with a deoxyribose sugar at the 3’ end and a phosphate at the 5’ end of each strand.
How is DNA replicated?
DNA is replicated by a DNA polymerase prior to cell division.
What is required for DNA polymerase to start replication?
DNA polymerase needs a primer, which is a short strand of nucleotides that binds to the 3’ end of the template DNA strand.
In which direction does DNA polymerase add nucleotides?
DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to the 3’ end of the new strand.
What is the difference between the leading and lagging strands during replication?
The leading strand is replicated continuously, while the lagging strand is replicated in fragments.
How are fragments of DNA joined together?
Fragments of DNA are joined together by ligase.
What is the purpose of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
PCR amplifies DNA by repeated cycles of heating and cooling.
What is the role of primers in PCR?
Primers are short strands of nucleotides that are complementary to specific target sequences at the two ends of the DNA region to be amplified.
What are the temperature steps in PCR?
DNA is heated to 92-98°C to separate strands, cooled to 50-65°C for primers to bind, and heated to 70-80°C for DNA polymerase to replicate the region.
What are some applications of PCR?
PCR can amplify DNA to help solve crimes, settle paternity suits, and diagnose genetic disorders.
What is a genome?
A genomic is an organisms entire hereditary information encoded in DNA.
What is included in a genome?
A genome is made up of genes and other DNA sequences that do not code for proteins.
How is genomic sequencing performed?
The sequence of nucleotide bases can be determined for individual genes and entire genomes using computer programs.
What is bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics involves computer and statistical analysis to compare sequence data.
How can an individual’s genome be used in medicine?
An individual’s genome can be analysed to predict the likelihood of developing certain diseases
What is pharmacogenetics?
Pharmacogenetics is the use of genome information in the choice of drugs.
What is personalised medicine?
Personalised medicine uses an individual’s personal genome sequence to select the most effective drugs and dosages for treatment.