Dna Worksheet
Answer the following in at least 100 words:
1. Describe the structure of DNA.
DNA is a structure of specific molecules and a complex mixture of chemicals. DNA is a nucleic acid, which is a group of complex compounds that can be found in all living cells or viruses, and controls cell health and function. Nucleic acids are composed of polymers and monomers, which are referred to as nucleotides. There are four different types of nucleotides that make up the structure of DNA, which are abbreviated A, C, T, and G. Covalent bonds join together nucleotides through sugar and phosphate. Polynucleotides, or a polymer nucleotide, which tends to be longer than a monomer nucleotide, contains many variations of arrangements of A, C, T, and G.
2. How does an organism’s genotype determine its phenotype?
Genotype is a term that refers to a living organism’s genetic makeup, whereas phenotype refers to an organism’s actual physical traits. Being that genotype describes an organisms genetic characteristics, this would also mean that the genetic characteristics that makes up one’s genotype will also determine that individuals phenotype, or physical characteristics. Since genetics play a major role in the determination of physical characteristics, this would mean that genotype determines phenotype. For instance, one simple genetic trait that is controlled by one gene, such as a free earlobe, is determined by one’s genotype and also shows up as a physical characteristic, or in one’s phenotype.
3. Describe each stage of the flow of information starting with DNA and ending with a trait.
The flow of information from gene to protein is based on the triplet code. The genetic instructions for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide chain are written in DNA and RNA as a series of three-base words called codons. The three-base codons in DNA are transcribed into complementary three-base codons in RNA, and then the RNA codons are translated into amino
1. Describe the structure of DNA.
DNA is a structure of specific molecules and a complex mixture of chemicals. DNA is a nucleic acid, which is a group of complex compounds that can be found in all living cells or viruses, and controls cell health and function. Nucleic acids are composed of polymers and monomers, which are referred to as nucleotides. There are four different types of nucleotides that make up the structure of DNA, which are abbreviated A, C, T, and G. Covalent bonds join together nucleotides through sugar and phosphate. Polynucleotides, or a polymer nucleotide, which tends to be longer than a monomer nucleotide, contains many variations of arrangements of A, C, T, and G.
2. How does an organism’s genotype determine its phenotype?
Genotype is a term that refers to a living organism’s genetic makeup, whereas phenotype refers to an organism’s actual physical traits. Being that genotype describes an organisms genetic characteristics, this would also mean that the genetic characteristics that makes up one’s genotype will also determine that individuals phenotype, or physical characteristics. Since genetics play a major role in the determination of physical characteristics, this would mean that genotype determines phenotype. For instance, one simple genetic trait that is controlled by one gene, such as a free earlobe, is determined by one’s genotype and also shows up as a physical characteristic, or in one’s phenotype.
3. Describe each stage of the flow of information starting with DNA and ending with a trait.
The flow of information from gene to protein is based on the triplet code. The genetic instructions for the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide chain are written in DNA and RNA as a series of three-base words called codons. The three-base codons in DNA are transcribed into complementary three-base codons in RNA, and then the RNA codons are translated into amino