DNA

• Carrier of genetic material
• Main part of chromosomes
• A self-replicating material in all organisms

Definition

• Found in the chromatin in the nucleus

Where is DNA?

Characteristics

Looks like a twisted ladder made up of units called NUCLEOTIDES

Characteristics

5-carbon sugar(deoxyriobse) + Phosphate group ("sides of ladder") + Nitrogen Bases("Rungs of ladder") = Nucleotides

Nitrogen Bases

4 kinds of bases:

• Adenine
• Thymine
• Cytosine
• Guanine

Nitrogen Bases

Pairs:

Adenine-Thymine

Cytosine-Guanine

When DNA Replicates:

• DNA "unzips" separating bases
• New bases pair up on old strand
• Forms 2 identical strands

Replication