12 - Genetic Code

Objectives:
o can define Genetic Code

o can describe the structure of DNA
o can explain the difference between
an allele, a gene and
chromosomes
Genetic Code
is a set of biochemical instructions for
transferring genetic data/information
stored in the form of DNA or RNA into
proteins.
stored on one of the two strands of a DNA
molecules as a linear, non-overlapping
sequence of the nitrogenous bases Adenine (A),
Guanine (G), Cytosine (C) and Thymine (T).
These are the "alphabet" of letters that are used
to write the "code words
The genetic code consists of a sequence of three letter
"words" (sometimes called 'triplets', sometimes called
'codons'), written one after another along the length of
the DNA strand.
Each code word is a unique combination of three
letters (like the ones shown above) that will eventually
be interpreted as a single amino acid in a polypeptide
chain. There are 64 code words possible from an
'alphabet' of four letters.
One of these code words, the 'start signal' begins all
the sequences that code for amino acid chains. Three
of these code words act as 'stop signals' that indicate
that the message is over. All the other sequences code
for specific amino acids.
Some amino acids are only coded for by a single 'word',
while some others are coded for by up to four 'words'.
The genetic code is redundant.
This nucleic acid is capable of self
replication, and it also contains the
code necessary for synthesizing RNA,
another critical nucleic acid. It also
contains sets of base pairs which come
together to create the genetic code,
determining things like eye color and
body structure.
Definitions of the Gene:
The gene is to genetics what the atom is to
chemistry.
The gene is the unit of genetic information that
controls a specific aspect of the phenotype.
The gene is the unit of genetic information that
specifies the synthesis of one polypeptide.
Genes are sections of DNA that contain coded
information that determines the nature and
development of organisms
Allele
A different form of a particular gene, positioned in the
same relative position (locus) on homologous
chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes
Gene locus –
position on the Alleles (diff versions of the genes)
chromosome
Homologous Chromosomes
Two chromosomes which contain the same
genes but may contain different alleles
The Cell, Chromosome, and DNA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Activity 6: DNA Modelling
DNA video
Activity 6: DNA Modelling
The DNA Song (to the tune of Row,row your boat)

We love DNA
made of nucleotides
Sugar, phosphate and a base bonded down one side
Adenine and thymine make a lovely pair
Cytosine and guanine would feel very bare
O-o-oh de-oxy-ribo-nucleic acid
Makes up DNA
KEY CONCEPTS
DNA
DNA is composed
is composed of chainsof of
chains of nucleotides
nucleotides built on
built aonsugar and phosphate
a sugar backbone and
and phosphate wrapped and
backbone
around each other in the form of a double helix.
wrapped around each other in the form of a
The backbone supports four bases: guanine,
double helix.adenine, and thymine. Guanine and
cytosine,
cytosine are complementary, always appearing
opposite each other on the helix, as are adenine
Thethymine.
and backbone supports
This is critical four bases:
in the reproduction of
the genetic
guanine, material,
cytosine, as it allowsand
adenine, a strand to divide
thymine.
and copy itself, since it only needs half of the
material in the helix to duplicate successfully.
KEY CONCEPTS
Guanine and Cytosine are complementary,

always appearing opposite each other on the helix, as are
Adenine and Thymine. This is critical in the
reproduction of the genetic material, as it allows a
strand to divide and copy itself, since it only needs
half of the material in the helix to duplicate
successfully.
DNA nucleotides
Phosphate group
Nitrogenous base
Pentose sugar
Nucleotide
Polynucleotide
chain
Sugar phosphate
backbone
4 different Bases
G
C
T
A
Double helix 5’end 3’end
3’end
5’end
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Objectives:

o can define Genetic Code

The DNA Song (to the tune of Row,row your boat)

Guanine and Cytosine are complementary,

http://www.worldofteaching.com is home to over a

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