Biology I for Non-Majors

Module 8: DNA Structure and Replication

DNA

• The building blocks of DNA

are nucleotides
• Nitrogenous base
• Deoxyribose (5-carbon sugar)
• Phosphate group
• The nitrogenous base can be a purine,
such as adenine (A) and guanine (G), or
a pyrimidine, such as cytosine (C) and
thymine (T)
DNA is a Double Helix
DNA Stores Genetic Information

• The genetic information of an organism is stored in DNA molecules

• The information stored in the order of bases is organized into genes
• Each gene contains information for making a functional product
• In order for DNA to function effectively at storing information, two key processes are
required
• Information stored in the DNA molecule must be copied, with minimal errors, every time a cell divides
• The information stored in the DNA molecule must be translated, or expressed
• Both copying and reading the information stored in DNA relies on base pairing between
two nucleic acid polymer strands
DNA Replication

• Meselson and Stahl determined DNA replicates by a

semi-conservative model
• Each of the two parental DNA strands act as a template for
new DNA to be synthesized
• After replication, each double-stranded DNA includes one
parental or “old” strand and one “new” strand
DNA Replication Enzymes

• DNA replication is catalyzed by DNA polymerase

• An enzyme that attaches many pieces of DNA
• DNA polymerase needs an “anchor” to start adding nucleotides
• A primer is a short sequence of DNA or RNA that is complementary to the template strand will work to
provide a free 3′ end
• A helicase helps unwind and separate the DNA helices
Proofreading DNA

• In proofreading, the DNA pol reads the newly added base before adding the next one, so a
correction can be made
• If an incorrect base has been added, the enzyme makes a cut at the phosphodiester bond and releases the
wrong nucleotide
• Performed by the exonuclease action of DNA pol III
• Mismatch repair are corrections that occur after replication is completed
• Enzymes recognize the incorrectly added nucleotide and excise it; this is then replaced by the correct
base
• In nucleotide excision repair, enzymes replace incorrect bases by making a cut on both the
3′ and 5′ ends of the incorrect base
Viruses

• Viruses are acellular, meaning they are biological

entities that do not have a cellular structure
• Sometimes called virions: ‘complete’ virus free in the
environment
• Consists of at least a nucleic acid core and an outer
protein coating or capsid
• Sometimes a virus will have an outer envelope made of
protein and phospholipid membranes derived from the
host cell
Viral Life Cycles

• Lytic cycle
• The phage replicates and lyses the host cell
• Lysogenic cycle
• Phage DNA is incorporated into the host
genome, where it is passed on to subsequent
generations
• Called a prophage while in the host genome
Types of Viral Infections

• Acute disease
• Symptoms get increasingly worse for a short period followed by the elimination of the virus from the
body by the immune system and eventual recovery from the infection
• Chronic Infections
• Long-term
• Intermittent symptoms
• Only occasionally present
• Asymptomatic infection
• No symptoms are present in the host
Plant Viral Infections

• Horizontal transmission
• Between different plants
• Vertical transmission
• From parent to child

Table 1. Some Common Symptoms of Plant Viral Diseases

Symptom Appears as

Hyperplasia Galls (tumors)

Hypoplasia Thinned, yellow splotches on leaves

Cell necrosis Dead, blackened stems, leaves, or fruit

Abnormal growth patterns Malformed stems, leaves, or fruit

Discoloration Yellow, red, or black lines, or rings in stems, leaves, or fruit

Prions and Viroids

• Prions • Viroids
• Proteinaceous infectious particles • Plant pathogens
• No nucleic acids • Small, single-stranded circular RNA
particles
• Cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases
• Kuru
• Make no proteins
• Mad cow disease • Infect plants
Quick Review

• Draw the basic structure of DNA

• How does the structure of DNA relate its function in storing genetic information?
• List the basic steps in DNA replication
• What are the key enzymes in DNA replication and their functions?
• How is DNA proofread?
• Draw the basic structure of a virus
• What are the two main types of viral infections?
• Describe a prion
• What are viroids and what do they target?