DNA- The Building Blocks of Life

Each side of the DNA molecule is "complementary" to each other. This means, that each of the nitrogen bases has a specific base that it pairs up with. What are these base pairs?

- Adenine (A) - Thymine (T) - Guanine (G) - Cytosine (C)

DNA is made up of small pieces or building blocks known as nucleotides, which have three components. What are the three components?

- Phosphate - Sugar - Bases

What is one of the best ways to remember that A always goes with T, and G always goes with C?

- The apple (A) always goes with the tree (T) - The car (C) always goes with/in the garage (G)

DNA is known as a _____________, which means that it is made up of many much smaller parts. These smaller parts that make up DNA are the _______________.

DNA is known as a POLYMER, which means that it is made up of many much smaller parts. These smaller parts that make up DNA are the NUCLEOTIDES

DNA is arranged in what can be described as a spiral staircase or spiral ladder. What is the "spiral ladder" called?

DNA structure is known as the Double Helix

Each side of a DNA molecule is __________________ to each other, meaning that it follows the base pair rule. Because of this, DNA can be created when only knowing half of the DNA strand

Each side of a DNA molecule is COMPLEMENTARY to each other, meaning that it follows the base pair rule. Because of this, DNA can be created when only knowing half of the DNA strand

Each side of the DNA strand is held together by a _________________________________

Each side of the DNA strand is held together by a SUGAR-PHOSPHATE BACKBONE

What kind of bonds are used to connect the two sides of the DNA strand together, by connecting the base pairs to each other?

HYDROGEN bonds are used to connect the two sides of the DNA strand together, by connecting the base pairs to each other