DNA Structure, Function and Replication1
DNA carries the genetic information in all living organisms, including humans, other animals, plants,
and bacteria.
Each cell in your body has a nucleus with multiple chromosomes. Each chromosome contains a DNA
molecule with multiple genes. Each gene is a segment of DNA that provides the instructions for
making a protein. A cell needs many different types of proteins to function, including:
 protein enzymes to carry out all the chemical reactions needed for life
 transport proteins to move ions and molecules into and out of the cell and to move
substances around inside the cell
 structural proteins.
The genes in our DNA influence our characteristics by giving the instructions for making the proteins
in our bodies. For example, as shown in the chart below, two different versions of a gene give the
instructions for producing either normal or defective versions of a protein enzyme which result in
either normal skin and hair color or albinism.
DNA

Protein

Version of the gene that
provides instructions to make
normal protein enzyme
Version of the gene that
provides instructions to make
defective enzyme
Normal enzyme that makes
 the pigment molecule in skin
and hair
Defective enzyme that does
 not make this pigment
molecule

Characteristic


Normal skin and hair
color

Albinism (very pale skin
and hair)
Skin and hair color are also influenced by:
 other genes (e.g. genes that influence how much pigment is made)
 environmental factors (e.g. sun exposure which influences how much pigment is made in
the skin)
1. Which cells in your body contain DNA? Why do these cells need DNA?
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By Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, © 2014 ; Teachers are encouraged to copy this Student Handout for
classroom use. A Word file (which can be used to prepare a modified version if desired) and Teacher Preparation Notes with learning goals,
instructional suggestions, and suggested alternative or follow-up activities are available at
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/bioactivities/DNA
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2. For each of the following, indicate whether you think it contains DNA (Y = yes; N = no).
bananas ___ fish ___ glass___ meat ___ metal ___ mushrooms ___ spinach ___
Explain your reasoning.
This drawing shows a short section of a
DNA double helix with a diagram of four
nucleotides in each strand of the double
helix. Each nucleotide has:
 a phosphate group (P) and a sugar
molecule in the backbone of the DNA
strand
 one of the four bases (A = adenine, C =
cytosine, G = guanine, or T = thymine)
(http://bio3400.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch01/01_08DNA_double_helix.jpg)
Since all the nucleotides in DNA are the same except for the base they contain, each nucleotide is
given the same symbol as the base it contains (A, C, G, or T).
These drawings show two short
sections of DNA.
The base-pairing rules describe
which bases pair together in the
DNA double helix. Complete the
following sentences to give the
base-pairing rules.
3. A in one strand always pairs
with _____ in the other strand.
C in one strand always pairs with
_____ in the other strand.
( http://www.bio-rad.com/cmc_upload/Literature/12525/4006096G.pdf)
4. For the two sections of DNA shown above:
Is the arrangement of the sugar and phosphate groups the same in both sections of DNA?
Do both sections of DNA contain the same four bases (A, C, G, and T)?
Yes or No
Are the base-pairing rules the same in both sections of DNA?
Is the sequence of nucleotides the same in both sections of DNA?
What is the only difference between these sections of DNA?
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5. Let’s create a model of DNA!!
Use the teacher provided instructions for building a DNA molecule using the base-pairing rules.
This flowchart shows how a gene influences an organism’s characteristics. You can see that the
sequence of nucleotides in a gene encodes the genetic information.
sequence of nucleotides in the DNA of a gene
determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein
determines the structure and function of the protein
(e.g. normal vs. defective enzyme
to make skin pigment)
influences the characteristics or traits of the organism
(e.g. normal skin pigmentation vs. albino)
Our bodies need to make new cells to grow or to replace damaged cells. New cells are formed by
cell division – when a cell divides into two daughter cells. For example, cell division in the lining of
your mouth makes the new cells that replace the cells that are rubbed off whenever you chew food.
Before a cell can divide, the cell must make a copy of all the DNA in each chromosome; this process
is called DNA replication.
6. Explain why DNA replication is needed before a cell divides into two daughter cells.
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During DNA replication, the two strands of the DNA helix are
separated and each old strand provides the instructions for
making a new matching strand.
The nucleotides in the new strand are added one at a time.
Each new nucleotide is matched to a nucleotide in the old
strand using the base-pairing rules.
DNA replication results in two new DNA molecules that are
identical to the original DNA molecule. Thus, each of the new
DNA molecules carries the same genetic information as the
original DNA molecule.
DNA polymerase is an enzyme that helps to make the new
matching DNA strand by adding nucleotides one at a time and
joining each new nucleotide to the previous nucleotide in the
growing DNA strand.
(From Biology -- A Human Emphasis, by Starr)
7. Let’s model Replication!!
Use the teacher provided instructions for replicating a DNA molecule.
8. DNA replication produces two identical copies of the original DNA molecule. Explain how the
double helix structure of DNA and the base-pairing rules work together to result in two identical
copies of the original DNA molecule.
9. Based on the function of DNA polymerase, explain why each part of the name DNA polymerase
(DNA, polymer, -ase) makes sense.
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10. The drawing below shows the short segment of DNA from the first figure on page 3, after the
two strands of the DNA molecule have been separated in preparation for replication. Your job is to
play the role of DNA polymerase and create the new matching strands of DNA to make two pieces
of double-stranded DNA in the drawing below. Use the base-pairing rules and the nucleotides and
tape provided by your teacher.
Old Strand New Strand
New Strand Old Strand
Look at both of the double-stranded pieces of DNA you have created. Are there any differences
between these two pieces of DNA?
Are these new double-stranded pieces of DNA the same as or different from the original piece of
DNA shown in the first figure on page 3?
Why is it important that both copies of the DNA molecule have the exact same sequence of
nucleotides as the original DNA molecule?
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. What is wrong with the figure on the right? Why
would the type of DNA replication shown in the
bottom part of the figure be biologically impossible?
(Hint: Think about what determines the sequence of
nucleotides as a new strand of DNA is formed.)
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