Genes, DNA & Heredity

DNA
• Deoxyribonucleic acid
• Polymer (macromolecule) made up of four types of
monomers known as nucleotides
• Transfers information
• Mediate cellular processes by making proteins
• A part of DNA which makes a protein is called a gene
• Several genes are present on one DNA molecule i.e.,
the chromosome
• Located in nucleus (eukaryotes)
 DNA
• Genes (chromosome) must be able to two things
– Give instructions for building and maintaining cells
– Must be able to be copied before cell divide
 Structure of DNA
• Nucleotides: the subunits of DNA
• Nucleotides are made up of
– Sugar (ribose)
– Nitrogenous base
– Phosphate groups
• The four bases are adenine, guanine, thymine
and cytosine
Structure of DNA
Structure of DNA
How DNA works?
 Genes
• A gene is a part of DNA that provides information
about synthesizing a protein
• A gene contains a series of nucleotides which carry
information about protein synthesis
• DNA is a large molecule and contains many genes

• Genes control the processes of cell / organism

 Genes and proteins
• DNA code is read like a book – from one end to other and in
one direction
• Groups of three bases (triplets) are the codes for amino acid
• Triplet CCA is decoded to Proline
• AGC is decoded to serine
• Many amino acids are joined together to form a protein
• So, a gene is a sequence / series of DNA nucleotides which
contains the instructions for making protein
Changes in genes
 Do mutations matter?
• May result in improved trait, no change or harmful trait
• Cells have error correction mechanism

• Mutations happen because of various factors (mutagen)

• e.g., radiation, chemicals, pollutants
 Do mutations matter?
• Sickle cell anemia
– Mutation in hemoglobin gene result in an altered
(mutated) form of hemoglobin
– GAA → Glutamic acid is changed to
– GTA → Valine

– This causes deformed protein (hemoglobin) and deformed

red blood cells (sickle shaped)
– Sickle cells – improper oxygen binding
– Can cause clots
Do mutations matter?
Heredity
 Heredity
• Onion cell divide to produce which type of cells?
• Wound healing will produce which type of cells?

• Why offspring resemble parents?

• Why all off springs not similar?
• Why don’t some children take after the parents?
 Heredity
• Traits / characteristics are passed on from one
generation to other

• How this happens?

• Mendel and peas