DNA Structure Function

and Replication

Learners Outcomes
State DNA is made of nucleotides;
nucleotides are made of bases,
sugars and phosphate groups; rule of
complementary base pairing between
complementary pyrimidines and
purines
Describe how a DNA double helix is
formed by hydrogen bonds between
complementary bases

Learners Outcomes
Define genes as a sequence of bases on a
DNA molecule that codes for the synthesis
of a protein that influences a specific
characteristic and is an unit of inheritance
Describe the process of DNA replication,
including the roles of DNA polymerase,
helicase, ligase, primase and single strand
binding protein
State that DNA replication takes place in
the 5 to the 3 direction

10.2 DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides

DNA and RNA are nucleic acids.

One of the two strands of DNA is a DNA
polynucleotide, a nucleotide polymer
(chain).
A nucleotide is composed of a
nitrogenous base,
five-carbon sugar, and
phosphate group.

The nucleotides are joined to one another

by a sugar-phosphate backbone.
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10.2 DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides

Each type of DNA nucleotide has a different
nitrogen-containing base:

adenine (A),
cytosine (C),
thymine (T), and
guanine (G).

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DNA
1 Each DNA molecule

consists of two parallel

strands twisted around
each other to form a
double helix.

proteins

2 A molecule of DNA is wrapped

around proteins to form a single

chromatin thread.
nuclear pore

3 During cell division, the

nucleus

nuclear envelope
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chromatin threads coil

more tightly to form
chromosomes inside the
cell nucleus.

Figure 10.2A

A
C
T

Sugar-phosphate
backbone

G
T

A
G
T
T

Covalent
bond
joining
nucleotides

T
C

Phosphate
group
Nitrogenous
base
Sugar

Nitrogenous base
(can be A, G, C, or T)

G
T

A DNA
double helix

DNA
nucleotide

Thymine (T)

Phosphate
group
G

Two representations
of a DNA polynucleotide

Sugar
(deoxyribose)
DNA nucleotide

Figure 10.2A_1

A
G

C
T

G
T

G
G
A

G
T
T

G
T

A DNA
double helix

Figure 10.2A_2

Sugar-phosphate
backbone

Covalent
bond
joining
nucleotides

DNA
nucleotide

Nitrogenous
base
Sugar

Two representations
of a DNA polynucleotide

Phosphate
group

Figure 10.2A_3

Nitrogenous base
(can be A, G, C, or T)

Thymine (T)
Phosphate
group
Sugar
(deoxyribose)
DNA nucleotide

Figure 10.2B

Thymine (T)

Cytosine (C)

Pyrimidines

Guanine (G)

Adenine (A)
Purines

Figure 10.2B_1

Thymine (T)

Cytosine (C)
Pyrimidines

Figure 10.2B_2

Guanine (G)

Adenine (A)
Purines

10.2 DNA and RNA are Polymers of Nucleotides

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is unlike DNA in that

it
uses the sugar ribose (instead of deoxyribose in
DNA) and
RNA has the nitrogenous base uracil (U)
instead of thymine.

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Comparing DNA and RNA

DNA (double helix)

RNA

Sugar unit is deoxyribose.

Sugar unit is ribose.

Nitrogen-containing bases are

adenine (A), thymine (T),
cytosine (C) and guanine (G).

Nitrogen-containing bases are

adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine
(C) and guanine (G).

Ratio of A:T and C:G is 1:1.

No fixed ratio between A and U

or between C and G.

It is a large insoluble molecule.

It is a small soluble molecule.

Permanent molecule in the

nucleus

Temporary molecule that is

made when needed

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10.3 SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY: DNA is a double-stranded helix

Watson and Crick reported that DNA

consisted of two polynucleotide strands
wrapped into a double helix.
The sugar-phosphate backbone is on the
outside.
The nitrogenous bases are perpendicular to the
backbone in the interior.
Specific pairs of bases give the helix a uniform
shape.
A pairs with T, forming two hydrogen bonds, and
G pairs with C, forming three hydrogen bonds.

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Figure 10.3D

Hydrogen bond
Base pair

Ribbon
model

Partial chemical
structure

Computer
model

Rule of base pairing

The two polynucleotide strands run in opposite directions and are

thus, anti-parallel.
The bases of one strand form bonds with bases of the other strand
according to the rule of base pairing.
Adenine (A) bonds with thymine (T), while cytosine (C) always
bonds with guanine (G).
Bases that bond with each other are known as complementary
base pairs.
In the DNA molecule, the ratios of adenine to thymine (A:T) and
cytosine to guanine (C:G) are 1:1.

base pair

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Genes

A DNA molecule contains many genes along its length.

A gene is a small segment of DNA which controls the
formation of a protein, such as an enzyme.
Each gene stores a message that determines how a protein
should be made in a cell.
The message stored by a gene is known as the genetic
code.
Proteins are responsible for the development of certain
characteristics in the body.
DNA

gene

part of a DNA molecule unzipped to show a

gene
M E S S A G E

a gene is a segment of
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DNA

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protein coded by the

gene

Structure of a gene

Each gene consists of two polynucleotide chains. One of the chains

determines the type of protein made. This chain is called the
template.

The template is made up of a sequence of nucleotide bases.

Three sequential bases code for one amino acid. This is known as
the triplet code or codon.
DNA template
triplet code/
codon

Process of decoding and protein

synthesis

polypeptide made of
five amino acids
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DNA REPLICATION

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10.4 DNA replication depends on specific base pairing

In their description of the structure of DNA,
Watson and Crick noted that the structure
of DNA suggests a possible copying
mechanism.
DNA replication follows a
semiconservative model.
The two DNA strands separate.
Each strand is used as a pattern to produce a
complementary strand, using specific base
pairing.
Each new DNA helix has one old strand with one
new strand.
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Figure 10.4A_s1

A parental
molecule
of DNA

Figure 10.4A_s2

A parental
molecule
of DNA

T
G
C

Free
nucleotides

The parental strands

separate and serve
as templates

T
A

Figure 10.4A_s3

A parental
molecule
of DNA

C
C

Free
nucleotides

The parental strands

separate and serve
as templates

Two identical
daughter molecules
of DNA are formed

Figure 10.4B
A

A
A
T

Parental DNA
molecule

Daughter
strand

A
C

G
G
T

C
A

Parental
strand

Daughter DNA
molecules

10.5 DNA replication proceeds in two directions at many

sites simultaneously

DNA replication begins at the origins of

replication where
DNA unwinds at the origin to produce a
bubble,
replication proceeds in both directions from the
origin, and
replication ends when products from the
bubbles merge with each other.

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10.5 DNA replication proceeds in two directions at many

sites simultaneously

DNA replication occurs in the 5 to 3

direction.
Replication is continuous on the 3 to 5
template.
Replication is discontinuous on the 5 to 3
template, forming short segments.

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10.5 DNA replication proceeds in two directions at many

sites simultaneously

DNA polymerases and DNA ligase also

repair DNA damaged by harmful radiation
and toxic chemicals.
DNA replication ensures that all the somatic
cells in a multicellular organism carry the
same genetic information.

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Figure 10.5A

Parental
DNA
molecule

Origin of
replication

Bubble

Two
daughter
DNA
molecules

Parental strand
Daughter strand

Figure 10.5B

3 end

5 end
P
4
3

HO

5
2

P
G

P
T

3 end

3
4

OH

A
P
5 end

Figure 10.5C

DNA polymerase
molecule
5
3

Parental DNA
Replication fork

5
3
DNA ligase

Overall direction of replication

3
5

This daughter
strand is
synthesized
continuously

This daughter
strand is
3 synthesized
5 in pieces