24.1 DNA Structure and Replication

• DNA is the genetic material, and therefore its structure and functions constitute the molecular basis of inheritance.
• DNA is able to replicate, and in this way, genetic information is passed from one cell generation to the next.

1. Where does complimentary base pairing occur within the DNA molecule?
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2. Why is DNA replication said to be semiconservative?
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Essential Study Partner
    Nucleic Acids
    DNA Structure
    DNA Replication

Art Quizzes
    Base Pairing
    Hershey-Chase Experiment
    Fraenkel-Conrat Experiment

Animation Quizzes
    DNA Structure
    DNA Packaging
    DNA Replication

General Biology Weblinks
    Molecular Genetics

24.2 Gene Expression

• DNA specifies the synthesis of proteins, a process that also requires the participation of RNA.
• Gene mutations range from those that have little effect to those that have an extreme effect.

1. Describe the genetic code.
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2. What are introns and exons, and what occurs during the processing of mRNA?
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3. What causes gene mutations and do they occur frequently?
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4. What are transposons?
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Essential Study Partner
    RNA
    Transcription
    Translation
    Gene Activity

Art Quizzes
    One Gene/One Polypeptide Evidence
    Introns and Exons
    RNA Processing by Spliceosomes

Animation Quizzes
    Transcription
    Translation
    Polyribosome
    Mutations
    DNA Repair

Explorations
    Reading DNA

24.3 DNA Technology

• Using recombinant DNA technology, bacteria and viruses can be genetically altered to clone a gene.
• The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) makes multiple copies of DNA segments. Analysis of the DNA usually follows.
• Bacteria, agricultural plants, and farm animals have been genetically engineered to produce commercially available products.
• Agricultural plants and farm animals have been genetically engineered to improve their yield.
• Farm animals have been genetically engineered to serve as a source of organs for human transplant patients.

1. What is recombinant DNA?
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2. What is one of the applications of the polymerase chain reaction?
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3. What are some of the possible environmental benefits associated with transgenic crop plants?
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Essential Study Partner
    Technology
    Applications

Art Quiz
    Production of Bovine Somatotropin

Animation Quiz
    Polymerase Chain Reaction

General Biology Weblinks
    Biotechnology

Exploration
    DNA Fingerprinting: You Be the Judge