Dapat, Angelo Miguel Y.
Cell & Molecular Biology (LEC)
BS – BIO 2A
________________________________________________________________________________________
DNA’S FUNCTIONS
Genetic information storage
LESSON 1: DNA • Stores information in the sequences of its
DNA’S STRUCTURE nucleotide bases
• Deoxyribonucleic acid is structured like a • Sequence encodes instructions for building &
twisted ladder (double helix) composed mainly maintaining an organism (DNA’s archive of
of 2 complementary, anti-parallel strands (one information)
strand runs in the opposite direction) helically Genetic information transmitter
twisted to form right-hand coils held together by • DNA is passed from parents to offspring during
hydrogen bonds. reproduction, ensuring inheritance of traits.
• Supercoils into its helical form in response to this • It can also undergo mutations while being passed
bonding amongst other factors. down which can lead to genetic variation,
providing raw material for evolution & adaptation
to changing environments.
Protein synthesis
• DNA contains instructions for synthesizing
proteins (essential molecules for structure,
function, & regulation of the body’s tissues &
organs).
• 2 steps:
➢ Transcription – a copy of a gene’s DNA
sequence is made into messenger RNA
(mRNA).
➢ Translation – mRNA sequence is decoded to
o Nucleotides – building blocks of DNA produce a specific protein.
- Composed of a sugar group (deoxyribose), DNA replication
phosphate group, nitrogenous base. • a process that involves synthesis of new DNA
- Deoxyribose & phosphate form the strands based on existing template strands (semi
backbone of DNA, linking nucleotide to form conservative).
a strand. • Prior to cell division, DNA must be accurately
- 2 types of nitrogenous bases: replicated to ensure that each daughter cell
➢ Purines: 2-carbon nitrogen ring bases; receives a complete and identical copy of the
adenine & guanine genetic information.
➢ Pyrimidines: 1-carbon nitrogen ring • Important for growth (meiosis / mitosis).
bases; cytosine & thymine
- Nitrogen bases are paired according to CHROMOSOMAL DNA & CHROMATIN FIBER
chargaff’s rule & are in equal quantities (1:1 PACKAGING
ratio of purines & pyrimidines; A = T | C = G) Plasmid DNA
- Connected by hydrogen bonds • Contains origin of replication (self-replicative)
- 1 coil = 10 nucleotides; 10 nitrogen bases • Double-stranded DNA – circular & small
• Form of extrachromosomal DNA
• Smaller than chromosomal DNA
• Only in prokaryotes
• Occurrence in cell varies from 1 to a thousand
• Not essential in cell’s functions
• Can duplicate independent of the genome
• Do not contain introns & exons (possesses an
open-reading frame)
• Transferred by horizontal gene transfer
Dapat, Angelo Miguel Y. Cell & Molecular Biology (LEC)
BS – BIO 2A
________________________________________________________________________________________
• Significant in recombinant DNA technology • How is it formed?
1. Formation of nucleosomes
Chromosomal DNA o Histones – small positively-charge
• Replicates w/ the genome proteins that associates w/ negatively-
• Vital for proper cell functioning & reproduction charged DNA
• Transfer of genetic information in the cellular form ➢ DNA strand (146-150 base pairs) wraps
• Type of genomic DNA around a histone octamer (contains 2
• Larger than plasmid DNA copies each of 4 histone proteins;
• Found in prokaryotic (circular; posses an open- H2A, H2B, H3, H4)
reading frame) & eukaryotic (linear; possess ➢ Connected by a linker DNA forming a
introns & exons) cells “string of beads” structure (11nm)
• Number varies depending on species ➢ Wrapping of DNA around histone proteins
• Crucial in development, growth, & reproduction of form nucleosomes
an entity 2. Formation of chromatin fiber
• Transferred by cell division ➢ Nucleosomes further compacted
forming solenoid by folding them into a
• Significant in reading genetic information
more condensed structure (11nm to 30
Chromatin nm chromatin fiber)
- A genetic material / macromolecule comprising 3. Condensation into chromosomes
DNA, RNA, & associated proteins, which ➢ Solenoids further compacted as they
constitute chromosomes in the nucleus of a are supercoiled into looped domains
eukaryotic cell. (forms chromatids of the metaphase
• Functions: chromosome; highly condensed
➢ Prevent DNA damage chromatin)
➢ Tightly packing DNA to fit into cell ➢ During cell division, chromatin
➢ Control DNA replication & gene expression undergoes additional condensation to
➢ Support DNA molecule to permit process of form chromosomes (highly compacted
cell cycle (meiosis & mitosis) structures consist of highly condensed
chromatin) which is essential for
• 2 states:
accurate segregation of genetical
➢ Euchromatin – less condensed & loosely
material during cell division.
packed; associated w/ active gene
expression
➢ Heterochromatin – more densely packed
(appears darker) & associated w/
transcriptionally inactive regions of the
genome
