Modern Genetics + DNA Structure

Question 1

What is a gene vs an allele?

Answer 1

A gene is a portion of DNA that determines a certain trait whereas an allele tells us the variation in which a given trait can be expressed.

for ex:
gene –> codes for eye color
allele –> tells us whether the eye color is blue or brown

Question 2

Where are genes located?

Answer 2

genes are location on specific sections of the chromosome

Question 3

What does DNA stand for?

Answer 3

Deoxyribonucleic acid

Question 4

What is the shape of DNA?

Answer 4

double helix – shaped like a twisted ladder

Question 5

Where is DNA found in the cell?

Answer 5

within the nucleus

Question 6

What is the structure of DNA?

Answer 6

DNA is made up of millions of NUCLEOTIDES bonded together in a double helix structure

Question 7

what is a nucleotide?

Answer 7

Phospate + 5-carbon sugar + NUCLEOBASE

Question 8

what are the nucleobase?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what are the pairs of nucleobases that we ALWAYS see in DNA

Answer 9

Adenine —— Thymine
Thymine —– Adenine
Cytosine —– Guanine
Guanine —– Cytosine

Question 10

If I have this strand of DNA

AATCGC
I I I I I I
_ _ _ _ _ _

What would the matching strand look like?

Answer 10

TTAGCG

Question 11

If I have this strand of DNA

TCGATCGGGCATTTTCAG

What would the matching strand look like?

Answer 11

AGCTAGCCCGTAAAAGTC

Question 12

Why is DNA twisted into a double helix?

Answer 12

it takes up less space and protects the 3 billion nucleobases found in DNA