Molecular Biology I

Dr. Roquyya Gul

Assistant Professor
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 Nucleus
Membraneboundstructure,containscel
lheredityinformationandcontrolsthece
llgrowthandreproduction.
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 Basic unit of genetics
Genome:
The total of the genetic material in the cell.
Gene: Unit of heredity for a given genetic

trait (characteristics like tall , short , black or

blue eyes) .The site ona DNA molecule that
carries the code for a certain cell function.
Viruses: 4 or 5 genes.
E.coli: 4228 genes.
Human: ~31,000genes.
 A gene is defined as a nucleotide
sequence in a DNA molecule that
acts as a functional unit for the
production of a RNA molecule.

A chromosome is formed from a

single , enormously long DNA
molecule that contains a series of
many genes.
 A chromosomal DNA molecule also
contains three other types off unctionally
important nucleotide sequences :
replication origins and telomeres allow
the DNA molecule to be replicated ,while a
centromere is needed to attach the DNA
molecule to the mitotic spindle , ensuring
its accurate segregation to daughter cells.
The human haploid genome contains
3109 DNA nucleotide pairs , divided
among 22 different autosomes and 2 sex
chromosomes . Only a small percentage of
this DNA is thought to code for proteins.
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 Chromatin structure is based on
successive levels of DNA packing
While the single circular chromosome
of bacteria is coiled and looped in a
complex , but orderly manner ,
eukaryotic chromatin is for more
complex.
 Eukaryotic DNA is precisely
combined with large amounts of
protein.

During interphase of the cell cycle ,

chromatin fibers are usually highly
extended with in the nucleus.

During mitosis , the chromatin coils

and condenses to form short , thick
chromosomes.
Thanks