Bio+Essay+by+Jing+Han,+Zhi+Xiang,+Wei+Jun,+Benjamin


 * DNA Components and Structure**

Done by: Benjamin Cheong 3B105 Ching Zhi Xiang 3B106 Ng Jing Han 3B120 Ngo Wei Jun 3B122

DNA, or otherwise known as deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries genetic information. Though we may not know it, DNA is vital for all cellular functions such as cell division and can be found in all organisms, from the smallest bacteria to human beings. Genetic infromation in DNA makes us the unique individual we are today and certain traits such as the ability to roll ones tongue.

The DNA contains two strands of building blocks, known as nucleotides, which are wound around one another in a double helix like a spiral staircase . This is to enable the DNA to fit into the nucleus. Each nucleotide is made of three parts, a phosphate group, a sugar molecule called deoxyribose, and one of the four nitrogen-containing bases (adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). The sugar phosphate bonds form the backbone of the DNA molecule, they are just like the hand railings of the staircase. The genetic information stored in the DNA are found in the nitrogen-containing bases, the steps of the staircase.  These bases are linked up through hydrogen bonds in a specific way. Adenine will only bond with thymine, while cytosine only bonds with guanine. Every three nucleotides bases, is called a base triplet. This base triplet, which consists of three nucleotide bases, codes for one specific amino acid. A strand of amino acids held together by peptide bonds form proteins. Since the nucleotide bases are able to form different combinations and create different amino acids, and the amino acids can form different combinations to form different proteins. In other words, the DNA codes for the different proteins found in the body of the particular organism. The order of the nucleotide strands are very different in different species of organisms.

References: [] [] [] [] [] w.colorado.edu/Outreach/BSI/pdfs/**DNA**_**components**.pdf