DNA and RNA

What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Stores biological information
Hereditary material
Double Stranded (double helix)
In the nucleus and mitochondria
What makes up DNA?
made up of nucleotides
cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine
C + G, A + T forms base pairs
What are chromosomes?
DNA combines to form chromosomes
Are found in the nucleus of cells
How many chromosomes do you have?
Humans have 23 pairs
Goldfish have 96 pairs
Strawberries have 7 pairs
Genes
Each chromosome contains thousands of genes.
Each gene codes for a different trait, or characteristic. You inherit
these genes from your parents.
Examples: Hair color, eye color, freckles, dimples, height, etc.
DNA replication
Used to create a new strand from a strand of DNA already
present
Step 1. DNA ripped apart by helicase

https://youtu.be/TNK
WgcFPHqw?t=48s
Step 2. DNA polymerase creates copies of both sides of the
DNA
https://youtu.be/TN
KWgcFPHqw?t=1m
26s

https://youtu.be/TN
KWgcFPHqw?t=2m
22s
Step 3. When finished, both strands are put back together by
DNA ligase and there's a new copy of the DNA strand.

https://you
tu.be/TNK
WgcFPHq
w?t=2m56
s
What is RNA?
Ribonucleic Acid
Carries DNA information from the nucleus to the
ribosome
To make proteins
In the cytoplasm of cells
Single stranded
C + G, A + U
Types of RNA
mRNA copies information from the DNA
tRNA
Information read by tRNA to form proteins
Strawberry DNA lab
https://youtu.be/https://youtu.be/NCu7T_

1_WLoNCu7T_1_WLo
Steps:
1. Measure out 90 mL water and pour into the
graduated cylinder
2. Measure out 10 mL soap and pour into the
graduated cylinder
3. Stir tsp salt into the graduated cylinder
4. Put one strawberry into the ziploc bag
5. Add the mixture in your graduated cylinder to
the bag
6. Seal the bag all the way
7. SMASH IT (gently please)
8. Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a
paper cup
9. Measure out 5 mL alcohol and pour it into the
beaker
10. Look for white material floating at the top
Strawberry DNA Lab
Quiz!
What was the purpose of mashing up the
strawberry?
To break down the cell wall, cellular and nuclear membranes.
What does the extraction buffer do? (Hint:
Extraction buffer contains soap. What does soap do
when you wash your hands?)
The extraction buffer helps to release the DNA from the surrounding cell
components of the crushed strawberry.
What does the filter do?
The filter removes the larger particles from the solution, such as seeds, pith,
etc., allowing only the smaller cell components such as the DNA, proteins, etc.
to filter through.
What happened when you added the filtrate to the
alcohol?
The DNA separated out of the solution
What did the DNA look like?
The DNA looked like white, thin fibers wadded up together forming a clump. It
looks like a white, cloudy or fine stringy substance.
Is DNA found in all living or once living cells?
Yes, DNA is present in all living and once living cells.

Fun Fact: Scientists can use DNA from mummies or seeds that are thousands
of years old and identify the genetics of those plants and animals using their
DNA.