Structure, Replication and

Chromosomal Organization of DNA

Ma. Christy V. Gonzales, RMT, MPH

Our Lady of Fatima University
Cytogenetics
 DNA
Carrier of genetic material
Friedrich Meischer
One of the first to isolate cellular organelle
Gray sediment: NUCLEIN
Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and phosphorus
Important component of the cell
20th century, genes are carried on CHROMOSOMES
But what chemical component of the
chromosome contain the genetic material?
DNA
 The Chemistry of DNA
James Watson and Francis Crick
Nucleic acids
Nucleotides
Components:
Nitrogenous base
Sugar
Phosphate group

Polynucleotides
The Chemistry of DNA
Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure
Focused on 2 sources:
X-ray diffraction studies
Chemical analysis of DNA base
composition
Maurice Wilkins & Rosalind
Franklin
Obtained X-ray diffraction
photographs
DNA has helical shape
Erwin Chargaff
Base composition of DNA
 Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure
FEATURES:
Composed of 2 polynucleotides
running opposite directions
2 polynucleotide chains are
coiled to form double helix
In each chain, PG are out and
form backbone of the molecule.
In each chain, bases are in and
paired by hydrogen bonds in the
opposite chain
Bases pairing is highly specific
Complimentary base pairs
 Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure

PROPERTIES:

Genetic info is stored in the sequence of bases in the

DNA
Molecular explanation for mutation
Complementary nature helps explain how DNA is
copied
The Chemistry of RNA
DNA Replication
 Organization of DNA in Chromosome
Chromatin
One double stranded DNA with
protein in the chromosome.
Histone
major class of protein in chromatin
Nucleosome
Small spherical bodies of histone
wound by the DNA strand
Organization of DNA in Chromosome
 Specialized Regions of Chromosome
Centromere
Located at constricted region
where sister chromatids
attach
Locations differ for specific
chromosomes
Kinetochore
Plate where the DNA
served as platform for
assembly of protein
 Specialized Regions of Chromosome
Telomere
Short DNA sequences
located at each end of a
chromosome.
Human telomere:
TTAGGC
Telomerase
Makes extra telomere
repeats keeping the number
of repeats constant from
one cell division to another.
The Nucleus
The Nucleus