The Structure Of A Double Helix - 950 Words

The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is a molecule that is able to encode hereditary information as well as transmitting such information from one generation to the next. The structure of the DNA is that of a double helix, much resembled as the structure similar to that of a spiral staircase. Such structural features arises from the strand of the DNA being a polymer consisting of a repeating polynucleotide chain of sugar group and phosphate backbone, with each sugar group being covalently bonded, by a hydrogen bond, to one of its complimenting four nitrogenous bases (nucleotides): cytosine (C) pairing with guanine (G), and adenine (A) pairing with thymine (T) (figure 2) [ ]. In the DNA a specific length of it is responsible for encoding and carrying out a specific function in the cell; however, each cell â€Å"specializes† itself by undergoing transcriptional genes silencing, regulating the gene activity in the cell as it requires, as in â€Å"turning off† such genes inheren tly. Gene silencing allows cells to be differentiated, wherein a skin cell during its development must have its nerve-specific genes turned off [ ]. On the molecular level, the DNA is remarkably long, if it were to be stretched end to end it would reach a length up to 6 feet, yet it is found in the minute sized organelles in the cells of organisms. Accordingly, despite its length, the DNA is wound around a spool-like proteins, called histones. Histones allow the DNA to be tightly wrapped enough to fit inside theShow MoreRelatedDna Rn Double Helix Structure1335 Words   |  6 PagesDNA RNA Double helix structure made of two DNA strands Made up of a single strand In DNA adenine base pairs with thymine In RNA adenine base pairs with uracil There is only one type of DNA There are three types of RNA; messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) Made up of monomers called nucleotides, which is made up of three parts; pentose sugar, nitrogenous base and a phosphate group Made up of monomers called nucleotides, which is made up of three parts; pentoseRead MoreThe Double Helix Dna ( Deoxyribonucleic Acid ) Structure1724 Words   |  7 Pagesgreatest minds of the last century and arguably the biggest step in to creating the double helix DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) structure. It goes without saying, that the basis of human life and why we are the way we are, is due to the DNA that is found on the double Helix. We can see all of our traits from our skin colour all the way to nail thickness, which are a combination of traits from both our parents. The DNA structure also allows us to view where elements come in to play and how our genetic informationRead MoreDna Is The Amazing Structure Known As A Double Helix910 Words   |  4 PagesNarrative: DNA has the awesome structure known as a double helix. Even though we as people may have the same bases of DNA as a plant or animals, the way the DNA sequences appear, are very different. Both animal and plant DNA are made from the same four chemical building blocks that we have, adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. DNA sequencing is the procedure of determining the ordering of the base pairs in a section of DNA. The way the nucleotides are arranged, and the information they encodeRead MoreYu Sun Park. Dr. Murphy. Lab Section 4. Discovery Of Dna1394 Words   |  6 Pagesof DNA double helix: Related to both Scientific and Humane Aspects DNA, the molecule of life that carries genetic information in humans and almost all other organisms, has been considered as one of the greatest discoveries until now. If DNA could not have been discovered, we would not be able to do or test numerous things such as paternity test and pathological confirmation. There are four main scientists who contributed their lives, knowledge, and ambitions to find out the DNA double helix, a DNARead MoreWatson And Crick: Structure Of The Dna Molecule. Dna Was952 Words   |  4 PagesWatson and Crick: Structure of the DNA molecule DNA was first discovered by Friedrich Miescher in 1869. He found material in the nuclei of cells in discarded surgical bandages. Since this material was as yet unknown and came from the nucleus of cells he named it nuclein. As more became known about the material, it was later renamed nucleic acid and then deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA. As DNA was further studied the components of the structure were isolated. Albrecht Kossel discovered that DNA had fiveRead MoreThe Characters In James Watsons The Double Helix1521 Words   |  7 Pages The Double Helix Essay In James Watson’s The Double Helix, there are four main scientists that all work towards the discovery of the double helix. These four people discovered the double helix and forever changed biology. Their names are James D. Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, and Maurice Wilkins. The winners of the Nobel prize in real life were James D. Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins. Rosalind was ineligible to receive the reward because she died prior to the award beingRead MoreThe Discovery Of The Double Helix And Dna979 Words   |  4 Pagesinformation of the organism and is used in processes like mitosis, meiosis and protein production. The reason as to why I chose this topic specifically is because it is central to my favourite aspect of biology, genetics. Prior to the discover of the double helix and DNA itself there was some information and experiments done on genetics with what little knowledge they had. Gregor Mendel carried out his experiments on pea plants by cross breading plants with different traits and came to the conclusion thatRead MoreChapter 11 Bio Review Essay1140 Words   |  5 Pagesare bound together into a structure called a double helix. 3. The â€Å"base-paring rule† in DNA is that adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine. Bases that can form pairs in DNA are called a complementary base pair. 4. When DNA is replicated, two new DNA double helices are formed, each consisting of one parental strand and one new, daughter strand. For this reason, DNA replication is called semiconservative replication. 5. The DNA double helix is unwounded by an enzymeRead MoreCharles Crick And James Watson On The Structure Of The Complex Molecule Known As Dna Essay1293 Words   |  6 PagesIn 1962, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Francis Crick and James Watson for formulating the structure of the complex molecule known as DNA. These discoveries were a direct result of the accumulation of many scientists’ earlier analyses and findings of the DNA. Before Watson and Crick had developed the double-helical structure of DNA, indication of this genetic material had been revealed around the 1850’s. During the century following the first evidence of DNA, subsequent researchers had been eagerlyRead Moreresearch studies Essay1521 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Irahani, Shara-aisa A. BEEd-I EdSci 102-A Feb. 18, 2014 â€Å"Race for the Double-Helix† What were your first impressions of the main characters? James Watson: An American biologist man who has a research about the DNA. For me, James Watson at first was a bit weird guy because of the way he stared and looked at people around him. He is a mysterious guy and a bit naughty to the ladies he has seen. As one of the character said, he is the â€Å"boy-wonderer†. He is also