CSCOPE Unit 06 Lesson 01

 Deoxyribonucleic acid
 Double-stranded nucleic acid
(double helix shape —like a twisted ladder)
 Contains genetic information for cell functions, growth, and division.

 Basic building block of nucleic acids
 Three parts:
 Sugar
 Phosphate group
 Nitrogen base

 Sugar component in the backbone of DNA
 5-Carbon sugar

 Binds with sugar in DNA backbone
 Phosphorous attached to four oxygen atoms

Nitrogen Base Pairs
 Nitrogen base pairs form the “rungs” of the DNA structure.

Adenine
 Purine base that pairs with thymine
 Thymine
 Pyrimidine base that pairs with adenine
 Cytosine
 Pyrimidine base that pairs with guanine
 Guanine
 Purine base that pairs with cytosine

DNA Puzzle Pieces
 What do you notice about the structure overall?
 What does it look like?
 How do the two sides of the “ladder” compare?
 What are the rungs of the “ladder” made of?
 Which nucleic acid pairs with which?
 In what ways do you think the real DNA in each person’s cells is the same as the model?
 In what ways do you think it is different than the model?