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Chapter 13

DNA Structure and Function

The DNA Helix
The DNA Helix
Overview Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most ...
DNA Packaging
DNA Packaging
Overview Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. In order to fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotes must pack their DNA tightly inside ...
Organization of Genes
Organization of Genes
Overview The genomes of eukaryotes can be structured in several functional categories. A strand of DNA is comprised of genes and intergenic regions. ...
Karyotyping
Karyotyping
Overview Describing the number and physical features of chromosomes can reveal abnormalities that underlie genetic diseases. This description is ...
Replication in Prokaryotes
Replication in Prokaryotes
Overview DNA replication has three main steps: initiation, elongation, and termination. Replication in prokaryotes begins when initiator proteins bind to ...
Replication in Eukaryotes
Replication in Eukaryotes
Overview In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high ...
Proofreading
Proofreading
Overview Synthesis of new DNA molecules starts when DNA polymerase links nucleotides together in a sequence that is complementary to the template DNA ...
Mismatch Repair
Mismatch Repair
Overview Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires ...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Overview Exposure to mutagens can damage DNA and result in bulky lesions that distort the double-helix structure or impede proper transcription. Damaged ...
Mutations
Mutations
Overview Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. ...
Transcription
Transcription
Overview Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene ...
Translation
Translation
Lesson: Translation Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following ...
Bacterial Transformation
Bacterial Transformation
In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two ...
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