DNA and Chromosome Structure

Chromosomes

Tightly wound DNA

Chromatin

Uncoiled DNA

Nucleotide

building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), made of 3 parts: sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base

DNA

molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms and the directions to make proteins; 2-stranded;

Backbone of DNA

phosphate groups and deoxyribose sugars

Inherited

A characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring.

Protein

Amino acids are building blocks; made from directions in DNA

Histone

Proteins that the DNA is wrapped around (when it is a chromosome)

Gene

a set of directions for building a specific protein

Thymine (T)

a nitrogen base, always pairs with adenine (A)

Guanine (G)

a nitrogen base, always pairs with cytosine (C)

Cytosine (C)

a nitrogen base, always pairs with guanine (G)

Adenine (A)

a nitrogen base, always pairs with thymine (T)

Traits

combination of characteristics, from our inherited genes AND the environment

Base pairing

hydrogen bonds only form between A & T and between G & C

Genetic code

the sequence of nitrogen bases in DNA

Complimentary strand

the strand of DNA made during replication

Hydrogen bonds

weak bonds that hold nitrogen bases together in DNA; allows DNA to be copied