Reporting Category 2
Mechanisms of
Genetics
Station 7
Components of DNA
Essential Question- Bell Ringer
• How does the structure of DNA make it
possible for traits to be passed on from
one generation to another?
The nucleotide bases that are paired on a DNA
strand are complementary to each other. When
the DNA molecule unzips and unwinds during
DNA synthesis, the exposed strand of bases
serves as a template for a new duplicate. The
duplicate strand, when bonded to the old strand,
makes a precise copy of the original DNA
molecule.
Pre- Review Question
What makes up the backbone of a DNA
molecule?
Phosphate group and deoxyribose sugar
What are the four bases of the
DNA molecule?
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine
And Cytosine
What holds a DNA molecule
Together?
Weak hydrogen bonds
Lab Activities
You will now go to the lab and
complete the activities for
today’s topic.
Station 7. I need to remember………
• DNA molecules contain four nitrogenous bases: adenine, guanine,
cytosine, and thymine.
• Two bases—adenine and guanine—are called purines.
• Two bases—thymine and cytosine—are called pyrimidines.
• Genes are pieces of DNA that pass traits to offspring.
• Nucleotides are made up of a sugar, a phosphate group, a base,
held together by hydrogen bonds.
• The amounts of adenine and thymine found in DNA are equal.
• DNA molecules are made up of a double helix containing two
strands.
• Weak hydrogen bonds hold the DNA molecule together.
• DNA is found in all living organisms.
• DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
• DNA is referred to as the “blueprint of life” because it contains all
the information in a living organism.
Post Review Questions
1. Can you find the nitrogen base Uracil in a
DNA molecule? No
2. What does Adenine pair with? Thymine
3. How many strands does a DNA
molecule have? 2
Post Review Questions
4. What is the shape of the DNA molecule
called? Double helix
5. List the 3 parts of a nucleotide
Sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base
Take 5 Minutes to draw a DNA
molecule using the
correct shape of the sugar and
include all 4 nitrogen
bases.
DNA molecule