Ms. Rossi
2012
Discovery of DNA
 DNA stands
for deoxyribonucleic acid.
 What did Rosalind Franklin do?
Click here to find out.
 What about James Watson and
Francis Crick? Click here to read
about them. Click through the series
of slides!
How does it all fit
together?


Chromosomes, which are
made up of DNA
molecules, are found
within the nucleus of the
cell. A gene is a section of
DNA that contains the
code for building proteins.
Proteins are made of
amino acids; the amino
acids are determined by
codon’s or groups of three
bases. Ultimately, the
protein produced
determines the traits!
Use this info to fill in your
paper for number 4!
Subunits of DNA - Nucleotides
Nucleotides are the subunits that create the
double helix structure of DNA.
 What are the parts of a nucleotide?
 Draw and label this on your paper.
 The base can be
any of the following:
adenine, thymine,
guanine or cytosine.

 Practice
rebuilding
DNA here.
What is a codon?
A codon is a group of ______ bases?
 How many codon’s are in this gene
sequence?

AAT

TGC
ACC
GCT
CAT
How many amino acids would this
produce?
GTA
Amino Acids and Proteins

Proteins are made of amino acids (building blocks
of proteins). The genetic code is read three bases
at a time (codon) and each codon determines
which amino acid is added to the protein. Use the
attached amino acid chart to determine the correct
amino acid. Remember – in RNA, we will use a U
(uracil) instead of a T (thymine).
RNA 
AUG CUA
GAC
GUG UUC UAG

Write the correct amino acid on your paper.
How and when is DNA copied?
 Watch
this to see
how and when DNA
is copied.
 Answer the question
on your study guide
in your own words.
Genetic Mutations
What is a genetic mutation? Find out
here: Mutations
 Describe the three types on you paper.
 Are all mutations negative? What are
some other outcomes of mutations?
 What can cause mutations – name three
environmental things that can cause
mutations? Information here.

Advances in DNA and Genetics
 What
is the Human Genome Project and
when was it completed? Find out here.
 To learn more about cloning, check out
this website.
 Find out what cloning is and
when the first animal was
cloned.
Genetically Modified
Organisms
Today, scientists can change the DNA of
organisms to produce plants or animals with
desirable characteristics. Find out about some
Genetically Modified Organisms.
Why would scientists want to change how fast
(or slow) organisms like salmon or grass
grow. Do you think this should be done?
DISCUSS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR.
Learn More…and games!
How big, how small? Its hard to
comprehend how small some cell structures
and chemical compounds are. Click here to
zoom in and investigate.
 Online quiz – how much do you know?
 More practice – here – challenge!
 Cloning or not? Play the game here.
 What is DNA?– an animated explanation.
