What is DNA Power point Activity/Notes: Use the power point to complete the following
questions. Make sure that you are in Slide show mode on the power point. View all animations
and links as you go through the power point presentation. Write complete sentence answers.
1. Describe DNA and the longer name for DNA. DNA is nucleic acid, DNA stands for
Deoxyribonucleic Acid.
2. Where is DNA found in Eukaryotic cells? In the genetic material.
3. What is the function of DNA? DNA is a molecule that provides instructions for traits of
living things.
4. Do both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes have DNA? Explain where DNA is found in
prokaryotic cells. They both have DNA. Prokaryotes are not protected by the nucleus.
5. Define: Organelle- Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living
cell.
Nucleus- A nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's
chromosomes. Pores in the nuclear membrane allow for the passage of molecules in
and out of the nucleus.
6. Who were the scientists that discovered the structure of DNA in 1953? Should they have
received all of the credit for the discovery of the structure? Explain (Be sure to click on
the link on the slide for more information) Structure was discovered in 1953 by James
Watson and Francis Crick.
7. Describe the shape of DNA? Name something that the shape reminds you of. The shape
of DNA is like two squiggly lines with curve into each other with little lines inside of it.
The shape of DNA reminds me of some weird modern stairs.
8. What is the purpose/function of DNA? DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic
instructions for the development and function of living things.
9. Define:
Traits are a genetically determined characteristic.
10. What are the four nitrogen bases and their representative letters? The letters A, C, G
and T may be regarded the schematic cornerstones of molecular biology. They are
abbreviations for the names of the four so-called nitrogenous bases found in all DNA,
with A standing for adenine, C for cytosine, G for guanine and T for thymine.
11. In DNA, which bases pair? (Also write the memory aids) The base pairs in DNA
are adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine.
12. What is a nucleotide and what does a nucleotide have to do with the structure of DNA?
13. Draw /label a single nucleotide.
14. In the structure of DNA, what forms
the “backbone”
of the ladder? Deoxyribose
15. In the structure of DNA, what forms the “steps” of the ladder?
The steps are formed by the nitrogen bases of the nucleotides where
adenine pairs with thymine and cytosine with guanine.
16. Draw the diagram of part of a DNA strand and identify the matching
nitrogen bases (where the question marks are).
17. What holds the paired nitrogen bases together? Describe this type of
bond and if they are weak or strong. What could be a reason that these
bonds are this way? They are held together by weak hydrogen bonds.
18. Look at the slide that says “X makes up the backbone along with which
other molecule?” What other molecule makes up the backbone other than what is at
“X” on the diagram? Purine and pyrimidine.
19. Explain how we have so many different organisms on Earth. Because each and every
DNA and cell is different.
20. Compare the Horse and Human DNA.
 What is the difference?The horse DNA makes a horsie.
 What would be the difference if we were comparing horses to donkeys rather than
horses to humans? Humans and donkeys are completely different things so we
would get different results.
 Do all living things have the same DNA structure? Explain No because we are not all
the same.
21. Draw the diagram that shows the connection between DNA base pairs and traits.
22. Write a reflection describing the structure/function of DNA using the words on the last
slide. (minimum of 5 sentences)
The main role of DNA in the cell is the long-term storage
of information.It is often compared to a blueprint, since
it contains the instructions to construct other
components of the cell, such as proteins and RNA
molecules. The DNA segments that carry genetic
information are called genes, but other DNA sequences
have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating
the expression of genetic information.In eukaryotes
such as animals and plants, DNA is stored inside the cell
nucleus, while in prokaryotes such as bacteria and
archaea, the DNA is in the cell's cytoplasm.Unlike
enzymes, DNA does not act directly on other molecules;
rather, various enzymes act on DNA and copy its
information into either more DNA, in DNA replication, or transcribe it into protein.