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Cells and DNA
What is a cell?
A cell is the basic unit of structure in a living thing.
Cells are microscopic.
Living things are made up of trillions of cells!
Image source: http://www.jimmyjanesays.com/sketchblog/2007/04/plant-cell.html (Plant cell)
What is a cell? Animal cells are surrounded
by a boundary called a membrane. Plant cells have a cell wall.
Inside of cells are small “organelles”. Like our organs, these help the cell function.
Organelles help make energy, remove waste, store liquids…and much more!
Image source: http://www.tracy.k12.ca.us/whssci/Derby/Derby-Physio.html (animal cell)
Image source: http://www.jimmyjanesays.com/sketchblog/2007/04/plant-cell.html (Plant cell)
The information center… How does a cell know what types of
molecules to make?
The nucleus is inside the cell. This organelle has all the information the cell needs to act.
For example, it “tells” a hair cell how to be a hair cell and not a skin cell.Nucleus
Image source: http://www.jimmyjanesays.com/sketchblog/2007/04/plant-cell.html (Plant cell)
Information Storage
The information in the nucleus is stored in molecules called “DNA”.
“Deoxyribonucleic Acid” – this molecule is coiled in a special shape called a double helix
Image source: http://www.cusmibio.unimi.it/documenti/website_new/en/introduction/index2.htm
DNA uses patterns and sequences to provide information and instructions to the cell.
Your phone number…
Area code: 541 = Oregon,304 = WV
House number: 277-5084 = you!
DNA patterns are made up of four “bases”: A,T,C, and G
DNA
A T C G
Image source: http://www.biologycorner.com/bio1/DNA.html
DNA sequences and Genes
The bases A,T,C,and G pair up on the DNA molecule.
Sequences of base pairs, called genes, provide a “code” for a feature of the organism
AAATTTCGAA = “yellow flowers”
Importance of DNA
The way you, a flower, the cat develops….is due to how your genes are expressed.
Remember: Genes are segments of a long DNA molecule.
One last thing… Mutations can
damage a cell and change how genes are expressed.
This can help or hurt the organism, or be neutral….but, usually it is harmful.
You cannot get superpowers from mutations!
