Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit covers the structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, DNA as the genetic material, and key genetic terms. It also explains protein synthesis, genetic variants, and how DNA structure affects proteins. The emphasis is on using models to explain scientific concepts.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the chemical structure of DNA.

Key Notes

• DNA is a type of biological molecule called a nucleic acid.
• DNA is made of two strands, each a long polymer of nucleotides, wound together in a double helix shape.
• DNA is a polymer of four different nucleotides (A, C, G and T).
• Each of the four types of nucleotide in DNA is made of the same sugar and a phosphate group, bonded to a different base.
• Nucleotides in each strand of DNA pair up in a complementary way; A pairs with T, and C pairs with G.

Vocabulary To Learn

• DNA: DNA is a nucleic acid polymer made up of four nucleotides, it contains the genetic code in all living organisms.
• nucleic acid: A nucleic acid is a polymer made up of nucleotides, an example is DNA.
• polymer: A polymer is a chemical made up of smaller repeating chemical groups.
• nucleotide: A nucleotide is a chemical group that make up the building blocks of DNA, the four types are coded A, T, C and G.
• base: A base is the part of a nucleotide that pairs to its complementary base across the middle of the DNA double helix C-G and A-T.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• DNA is living and not necessarily a chemical.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype Study Guide
• Genetic variants in non-coding DNA can influence phenotype Study Guide
• Mutations and genetic variants Study Guide
• Protein synthesis Study Guide
• The genetic code Study Guide
• The genome Study Guide
• The genome, the environment and phenotype Study Guide
• The structure of DNA Study Guide