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THE CENTRAL DOGMA

The DNA DNA, OR DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID, CONTAINS THE GENES THAT DETERMINE WHO YOU
ARE. WHO YOU ARE IS FOUND IN YOUR CHROMOSOMES.
A DNA molecule is divided up into functional units called genes. Each gene provides instructions for a
functional product, that is, a molecule needed to perform a job in the cell. In many cases, the functional
product of a gene is a protein.
DNA contains instructions for all the proteins your body makes.
Proteins, in turn, determine the structure and function of all your cells. Protein structure starts with with
the sequence of amino acids that are encoded in the DNA.

So how does it work?

DNA contains instructions for the correct sequence of amino acids

RNA carries instructions from the DNA to the site of protein synthesis
Sites of protein synthesis, found outside of the nucleus, assembles the proteins

The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA
RNA
PROTEIN

The functional products of most known genes are proteins, or, more accurately, polypeptides. Polypeptide is
just another word for a chain of amino acids.

DNA( deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA is a nucleic acid, one of the four major groups of biological macromolecules.
All nucleic acids are made up of nucleotides.

On the other hand, nucleotide structure of RNA

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THE CENTRAL DOGMA
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REPLICATION

DNA replication is the process by which the genome’s DNA is copied in cells. Before a cell divides, it
must first copy (or replicate) its entire genome so that each resulting daughter cell ends up with its
own complete genome.
In the 1950s, a biochemist named Erwin Chargaff discovered that the amounts of the nitrogenous
bases (A, T, C, and G) were not found in equal quantities. However, the amount of A always equaled
the amount of T, and the amount of C always equaled the amount of G.

STEPS IN DNA replication

The DNA double-helix is "unzipped" by the enzyme helicase. The helicase breaks the hydrogen
bonds that hold the complementary bases together. The separation of the two single strands of
DNA creates a ‘Y’ shape called a replication ‘fork’. The two separated strands will act as
templates for making the new strands of DNA.
One of the strands is oriented in the 3’ to 5’ direction (towards the replication fork), this is the
leading strand. The other strand is oriented in the 5’ to 3’ direction (away from the replication
fork), this is the lagging strand. As a result of their different orientations, the two strands are
replicated differently.
A short piece of RNA called a primer (produced by an enzyme called primase) comes along and
binds to the end of the leading strand. The primer acts as the starting point for DNA synthesis.
DNA polymerase binds to the leading strand and then ‘walks’ along it, adding new
complementary nucleotide bases (A, C, G and T) to the strand of DNA in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
Replication in the leading strand is continuous.
Chunks of DNA, called Okazaki fragments, are then added to the lagging strand also in the 5’ to
3’ direction.
This type of replication is called discontinuous as the Okazaki fragments will need to be joined up
later.
Once all of the bases are matched up (A with T, C with G), an enzyme called exonuclease strips
away the primer(s).
The gaps where the primer(s) were are then filled by yet more complementary nucleotides.
The new strand is proofread to make sure there are no mistakes in the new DNA sequence.
Finally, an enzyme called DNA ligase seals up the sequence of DNA into two continuous double
strands.
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DNA REPLICATION
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TRANSCRIPTION

TRANSLATION
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AMINO ACIDS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS THAT FORM
POLYPEPTIDES AND ULTIMATELY PROTEINS. CONSEQUENTLY, THEY
ARE FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENTS OF OUR BODIES AND VITAL FOR
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, TISSUE
REPAIR AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION.