5. MOLECULAR BASIS OF INHERITANCE
The chapter explores the molecular basis of inheritance, focusing on the structure and function of DNA and RNA, the mechanisms of replication, transcription, and translation, and the regulation of gene expression. It highlights significant historical experiments that elucidated the nature of genetic material, including the Hershey-Chase experiment and the Human Genome Project. The chapter also discusses the applications of DNA fingerprinting and the implications of genetic research in understanding hereditary traits and human biology.
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What we have learnt
- DNA is the genetic material in most organisms, while RNA plays a vital role as a messenger and catalyst.
- The double helix structure of DNA, consisting of two complementary strands, allows for semiconservative replication.
- The regulation of gene expression can occur at multiple levels, primarily through transcriptional control.
Key Concepts
- -- DNA
- A long polymer of deoxyribonucleotides that serves as the genetic material in most organisms.
- -- RNA
- Ribonucleic acid that primarily functions as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins.
- -- Transcription
- The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, where a specific DNA strand is used as a template.
- -- Translation
- The process whereby ribosomes synthesize proteins using the genetic information carried by messenger RNA.
- -- Operon
- A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, which is common in prokaryotes, allowing for coordinated regulation of gene expression.
- -- Human Genome Project
- An ambitious initiative aimed at mapping the entire human genome, which entails sequencing the 3 billion base pairs and identifying all human genes.
- -- DNA Fingerprinting
- A technique used to identify individuals based on variations in their DNA sequences, particularly in regions of repetitive DNA.
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