DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary ma-

terial in nearly all organisms. Most eukaryotic DNA is

located in the cell nucleus (a small amount of DNA
can also be found in the mitochondria). Each cell in an
organism contains a copy of the same chromosomes
and DNA. All cells in the same organism have the
same genes, but may have different patterns of genes
turned on and off.
DNA molecules are nucleic acids, made up of two
antiparallel chains of covalently bonded nucleotides. A
nucleotide is composed of a 5-carbon sugar called
deoxyribose covalently bonded to a phosphate
(PO4-) and one of four nitrogen bases. The informa-
tion in DNA is read from the order of the 4 nitrogen
bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and
thymine (T). Adenine and Guanine are purines
(double ring base), and cytosine and thymine are
pyrimidines (single ring base).
The two strands of DNA molecules are complemen-
tary because the nitrogen bases between the strands
pair up with each other according to the base pair
rules: A bonds T and C bonds G. If one strand of DNA is known, then the other can be determined using
the base pair rules. These particular pairs ensure that the distance between the two DNA strands is equal
along its entire length.The two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between the base pairs to
form a ladder-like structure with the base pairs as rungs and the sugar- phosphate molecules forming the
vertical rails. This two stranded ladder structure is twisted into a spiral called a double helix. Finally, it is
important to note that the two strands are antiparallel, i.e., the two chains run in opposite directions such
that one chain is upside down relative to the other.
How to complete this lesson:
1. Use the resources listed below to take notes in your notebook.
*Be sure that you can:
Identify DNAs location in a eukaryotic cell
Describe how DNA is packaged to form a chromosome
Explain the relationship between nucleotides and nucleic acids
Explain the relationship between DNA and genes
Draw a simple representation of a single nucleotide that correctly relates the three components: 5-C
sugar, phosphate and nitrogenous base
Draw a simple ladder representation of a section of DNA double helix with correct anti-parallel comple-
mentation and label the sugars, phosphates, bases, covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds
Explain what complementary, double helix and antiparallel mean
Apply the base pair rules to determine a complementary DNA sequence
Define and use these terms correctly: Nucleotide , nucleic acid, Deoxyribose , Phosphate , Nitroge-
nous Base , Purine , Pyrimidine , Adenine , Thymine , Cytosine, Guanine
DNA Structure
BIOLOGYStraub (2013-14)
Hydrogen bonds
Covalent bonds
1 Nucleotide
N
-B
a
s
e
s

Gene - Wikipedia
Resources:
What is DNA from Learn.Genetics - video on basic DNA
structure
Bozeman Biology What is DNA - video lecture on the
structure of DNA

DNA from the Beginning: Concept 19 - tutorial on DNA:
read the concept, then click the animation tab. Click through
the arrows in the lower right.

The Chemical Structure of DNA from BioInteractive - short video covering the
chemical compounds that are bonded to form DNA
Easy Read DNA structure from IB Biology.
The Structure of DNA - easy to read and understand
The structure of DNA - easy read with good graphic
DNA structure and good definitions from The Guide
Build a DNA molecule. Learn. Genetics - practice base pairing rules by
building a complementary strand of DNA to the one given.
Master your base pairing skills with Play the Double Helix Game
DNA Structure and Replication: Crash Course Biology - Another DNA video lecture
from Hank Green, watch video through 9:18. After this point, he discusses our next
topicDNA replication.

Gene Graphic . (2003). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved July 4, 2014, from http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene.