Year 10 - Science
The structure of DNA
DNA and the genome
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 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.
- DNA is a polymer of four different nucleotides (A, C, G and T).
- The two strands in DNA are wound together in a double helix shape.
- Making a physical, representational model of DNA.
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.
- double helix: A DNA molecule is made up of two nucleic acid chains that spiral around each other to form a double helix.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- DNA is living and not necessarily a chemical.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
DNA is a type of biological molecule called a nucleic acid. DNA is made of two strands, each a long polymer of nucleotides.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'DNA'
DNA is a nucleic acid polymer made up of four nucleotides, it contains the genetic code in all living organisms. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: DNA is living and not necessarily a chemical. Correction: Discussing that DNA is a chemical molecule and showing how it is made up of smaller chemical groups, and then modelling this chemical structure.
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 chemical structure of DNA Study Guide
- The genetic code Study Guide
- The genome Study Guide
- The genome, the environment and phenotype Study Guide
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