How DNA worksHow DNA worksby Lars Dielmanby Lars Dielman

Deoxyribonucleic AcidDeoxyribonucleic Acid

DNA for shortDNA for short

Helix-like structure that makes Helix-like structure that makes up all living thingsup all living things

DNA molecule is made up of DNA molecule is made up of six smaller molecules:six smaller molecules:

Deoxyribose, Phosphate, Deoxyribose, Phosphate, Thymine, Cytosine, and Thymine, Cytosine, and GuanineGuanine

What is DNA?What is DNA?

DNA is a double-stranded molecule, DNA is a double-stranded molecule, found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

DNA has four sub-units called DNA has four sub-units called nucleotides.nucleotides.

Nucleotides are found in pairs that Nucleotides are found in pairs that compliment each other.compliment each other.

Adenine always pairs with thymine, and Adenine always pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine.guanine always pairs with cytosine.

adeninadeninee

thymithyminene

guaniguaninene

cytosicytosinene

Cell conversion of Cell conversion of DNA to proteinDNA to protein

There is a two-step process for There is a two-step process for converting DNA to proteinconverting DNA to protein

1.1. DNA is unwound - breaking DNA is unwound - breaking apart the nucleotide pairsapart the nucleotide pairs

2.2. During translation, a ribosome During translation, a ribosome connects to the mRNA, which connects to the mRNA, which creates a tRNAcreates a tRNA

GenesGenes

DNA has different strands each DNA has different strands each with slight differences. with slight differences.

The DNA strands have different The DNA strands have different beginning and ending points, beginning and ending points, which can only be read in one which can only be read in one direction. direction.

Additionally, each gene has an Additionally, each gene has an individual set of instructions for individual set of instructions for how to make proteins.how to make proteins.

Carrots used to Carrots used to be purple before be purple before a genetic a genetic mutation mutation occurred.occurred.

DNA ConclusionDNA Conclusion

DNA is found in all living things.DNA is found in all living things.

DNA can be used to prove your DNA can be used to prove your relationship to someone.relationship to someone.

DNA could one day help prove our DNA could one day help prove our relationship to aliens!relationship to aliens!