Self-Replication and Genetics
- DNA Structure Review
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA
Nucliotides bond via Phosphodiester bonds.
Base pairs bond via hydrogen bonds.
A-T
G-C
- DNA Replication
DNA Polymerase - Enzyme invovled in DNA manipulation including replication. Like a "hand" that grasps the DNA strand and positions the incoming nuclioside triphospate.
i.e. nuclioside triphosphate dTTP becomes dTMP when connected to DNA strand.
http://www.maxanim.com/genetics/Dna%20Replication/Dna%20Replication.htm
http://www.maxanim.com/genetics/Replication%20Fork/Replication%20Fork.htm
- Proteins
OK, so DNA is a template for replication of DNA.
Where do all the proteins involved in replication come from?
What is a Protein?
Protein is a Polypeptide...a chain of amino acids connected by peptide bonds.
There are 20 Amino Acids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid
- RNA
A-U
G-C
Synthesis of RNA
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/biol/dna_links.html
Transcription:
1) chain initiation
2) chain extension or elongation
3) chain termination
DNA -> mRNA = RNA chain (has codons, 3 letter groups that code for specific amino acids)
DNA -> tRNA = folded complex that attaches to specific amino acids (has anti-codon)
DNA -> rRNA = folded complex that becomes part of ribosome
Genetic Code:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_code
Translation:
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/biol/dna_links.html