DNA: Replication and Mutation

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What is DNA?

 DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid

 DNA is the “blueprint” for the cell
contains the instructions that tells the
cell how to do things and what to make
 DNA is like blueprints for making a city,
which in this case is the cell

Amoeba Cell
What is DNA made of?

 DNA is made up of 4 bases:

– Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G)

Rules for DNA Bases:

1. A pairs with T
2. G pairs with C
“Chargaff’s Rules”
Structure of DNA

 DNA is made up of two

strands (double
stranded)
 Each strand has the
bases connected to a
PHOSPHATE
BACKBONE
 The two strands wrap
around each other in a
winding staircase
manner (helix)
Models of DNA
ACTUAL Pictures of DNA
DNA Replication

 In order for you to survive,

your cells need to replicate
themselves. In order for
them to do that, they need
to replicate their DNA
 Every cell in your body has
the same DNA, because
every time one of your cells
divides, it makes a copy of
its DNA to give to the new
daughter cells
How does DNA replicate?

 The DNA is unzipped and the original strands

are used to help make the new molecules –
See Demonstration
What are mutations?

 MUTATIONS are any

changes in the
sequence of bases of
DNA
Mutations
Mutations DO
COULD
NOT
lead
lead to
to this
this

Colon cancer cells

How do mutations occur?

 Sometimes during replication,

the cell makes a mistake and
adds the wrong base
 When the cell replicates its DNA
again, the two strands that are
produced are no longer exactly
the same
 This usually will cause the new
cell to die, but sometimes it can
cause the cell to divide when it is
not supposed to  cancer
How do mutations occur?

Replication
What can cause mutations to happen
more often?