Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid gives our cells the instructions for life. Until the 1950's most scientist believed that our genetic instructions were stored in proteins, but we now know that it is in fact DNA that holds our genetic code in a very specific, compact structure.
Foggy on the history of DNA? Here's a brief overview of what the scientists we discussed discovered.
This timeline paints a picture of what else was going on in the world during the time of the DNA findings. (Griffith is left out of this timeline)
This timeline paints a picture of what else was going on in the world during the time of the DNA findings. (Griffith is left out of this timeline)
Nucleotide Nucleotides are organic molecules that serve as the monomers, or subunits, of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. The building blocks of nucleic acids, nucleotides are composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and at least one phosphate group. Nucleotides are organic molecules that serve as the monomers, or subunits, of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. en.wikipedia.org · Text under CC-BY-SA license |
To help remember Chargaff's Rule that DNA always contains the same amount of Adenine as it does Thymine remember the phrase:
"Apples in the Trees"
To help remember Chargaff's Rule that DNA always contains the same amount of Cytosine as it does Guanine remember the phrase:
"Cars in the Garage"
Click here to practice building a DNA molecule
DNA Extraction: All living things have DNA