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DNA
STRUCTURE
is key to understanding:
(1) replication;
(2) inheritance;
(3) allele diversity;
(4)mutation; and
(5) protein
expression and variation
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In 1931, R. Sia and M. Dawson performed the same
experiment in vitro, in liquid culture, showing .
(1) Standard biochemical purification indicated that DNA is
the only class of molecules that would transform R to S
(same chemical composition, density, absorbed UV like DNA).
(2) A second experiment used enzymes that degrade DNA
(ases), RNA(ases) and proteins (proteases), destroys the
T effect.
Avery, McLeod and
McCarthy 1944
No transmission of
S35
Transmission of P32
Somehow this simple molecule class explains:
(1) faithful replication (2) information -the enormous
diversity of inheritance, and (3) mutation. to begin
with.
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Chargaffs rule:
A ~ T and G ~ C, but,
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The resolution of
the B form :
Each turn of the
helix is 10 base
pairs, separated
by 3.4 A
James Watson and Francis Crick, in 1953, worked with the X-ray
diffraction data of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins to propose
the double helix structure of DNA. Read J. Watson The Double Helix.
DNA density
2 polynucleotide
Francis Crick (right) and James Watson (left)
and their structural model of B DNA,
Chains.
34A/turn
20A
diameter
3.4A
separation
between
nucleotide
s
10 nucleotides per complete 1 (360)
helical turn
10A = 1nm
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What are the requirements for genetic material explaining the inheritance of molecules,
physiology, morphology, behaviour etc.
A code that is: (1) stable (2) replicable (3) expressible (4) can evolve
In April 1953, Watson and Crick proposed a structural model in Nature:
We propose
the double helix, (stable structure)
complementary base pairing (expressible) and
a mechanism for DNA replication by unwinding and separating
Followed by a scale model (1954 Proc. R. Soc. (A): 80 - 96) they also proposed a mechanism
for mutation (can evolve)
Several years later, Crick et al. (1961) provided evidence that the code involved triplet base
sequences.
DNA Stability
(1)A large number of hydrogen bonds joining
strands.
(2)Each strand has a chain of covalently bonded,
phosphate-nucleoside units (backbone).
(3)A-T, C-G pairs (purine -pyrimidine) same
diameter along the length, no bulges in the helix.
(4)Charged groups face outward into waterinteract strongly.
(5)Helical structure means the inner H -bonded
nucleotides are protected from interacting with
water
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3-5 covalent
phosphodiester bond
between two
nucleosides
(deoxyribose + base)
Forms the backbone
of each strand
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Complementary
structure
implies different
strand
directions
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Three possible
models for
DNA replication.
The first test of
Watson & Cricks
semiconservative
model was
reported in 1958!
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