Nucleic Acids, DNA replication and protein synthesis.

NUCLEIC ACIDS, DNA REPLICATION AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS BY CHIKA OKOSI How does DNA direct a cell's activities? How does a cell in your liver "know" it's a liver cell and not a brain cell or kidney cell. How can all this information needed to regulate the cell's activities be stuffed into a tiny nucleus? To begin to find the answer to all these questions, an in-depth in the biological molecules nucleic acids needs to be established. An organism has some form of nucleic acid that is the chemical carrier of its genetic information. There are two types of nucleic acids, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) that code for all the information that determines the nature of the organism's cells. In fact DNA codes for all the instructions needed for the cell to perform different functions. Nucleic acids are one of the several macromolecules in the body in addition to facts, proteins and carbohydrates. Nucleic acids are polymers made up of individual molecules linked together in long chains. These molecules are known as nucleotides and the long chain is known as polynucleotides. Nucleotides itself can be further broken down to three components: * A pentose sugar * A nitrogen base * A phosphate group Diagram 1 shows a nucleotide As mentioned above there are two types of nucleic acids: DNA & RNA. DNA stores genetic information, and RNA allows that information

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Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

Evolution vs. Intelligent Design Intelligent Design and Evolution are two major theories that have been observed in the history of science. Proponents from both sides argue that they use different methodological approaches to back up their theories, which invalidates their opponent's. There are several differences on their understanding of nature including the origin of life, natural selection, and the complexities the evolution. The most incompatible element of this debate is the methodological approach that either side takes in order to explain their understanding of nature. Whether they are really addressing the same issue is completely relative to how tolerant each side is of the other (should I clarify?) Despite their stark differences, both views have permeated the scientific and academic realms and have been accepted as popular theories worldwide. Although evolutionary ideas entertained the minds of ancient philosophers, it wasn't until 19th century when these ideas drew in legendary scientists (ie- Charles Darwin) and their harshest criticism. He addressed the concept of natural selection, in which life evolves through random mutations. Many concepts within evolutionary theory have been corroborated by scientific evidence. Scientists have been following DNA's footprints, which have been permanently engraved by concrete genetic research. Therefore, usually don't

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Nucleic acid, DNA replication and Protein Synthesis

Bina NUCLEIC ACUD, DNA REPLICATION AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS Mohammed Majeed Mohammed Majeed Bina Biology key skills Poodles make more poodles. Sheep make more sheep. Replication is a basic fact of life. All living things make other living things that are to one degree or another duplicates of themselves. What is the mechanism behind all this? The answer lies in a molecule called DNA. In 1869, Friedrich Miescher extracted a substance, which he called nuclein from the nuclei of white blood cells. Nuclein later became known as nucleic acid. Living cells contain two kinds of nucleic acids-ribonucleic acid (RNA) which contains the sugar, ribose and deoxyribonucleic (DNA) which contains the sugar, deoxyribose. Nucleic acids are found in all living things, from the simplest protozoan to the most complex forms of animal and plant life . Two young scientists-James Watson and Francis Crick-finally pieced together the precise structure of DNA. The model proposed by Watson and Crick for the structure of DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder. This type of figure is known as a double helix. The sides of the twisted ladder are made up of alternating units of deoxyribose and phosphate. The rungs of the ladder are composed of paired nitrogen bases. Adenine always pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs cytosine. The bases are held together by hydrogen bonds. Watson and Crick's

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The Human Proteome Project - “Genes were easy”

The Human Proteome Project - “Genes were

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" To clone, or not to clone that is the question"

Michael Nowak Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main Institut für England- und Amerikastudien Ü Writing Skills Level I Frau Riemenschneider-Kemp SS 2003 Essay Nr. 2 " To clone, or not to clone that is the question" Cloning, what exactly is cloning? Cloning can not be seen as a definition of one specific scientific field. To give the reader an idea what cloning deals with I will give a short definition of the three major fields of cloning research. First there is DNA cloning or the so called recombinant DNA technology. This part of cloning deals with the multiplying of one and the same cell by extracting and recombining different chromosomal circular DNA molecules to make the cell more resistant against bacteria or other external influences. This technique is mostly used to develop food crops that grow faster and more resistant to environmental hazards than regular crops. Secondly we have reproductive cloning which is used to generate a new animal or organism that has the identical DNA of a current or previously existing animal. This goal is achieved through a process called "somatic cell nuclear transfer" (SCNT) where scientists excerpt genetic material out of a healthy nucleus of an adult donor cell and replace it with the DNA of the object which is to be reproduced. The newly created artificial cell is then brought to cell division through a

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Blood Factors and the DNA Fingerprint.

Blood Factors and the DNA Fingerprint Teri Davis Research Paper Summer 2003, Friday Mr. Speener While fingerprinting is still the only surefire way to separate identical twins, DNA testing provides its own advantages. I. Blood Typing A. A, B, O, and AB B. Rhesus Factor C. Deoxyribonucleic acid II. DNA Fingerprinting A. DNA typing 1. RFLP, PCR, STR III. Gathering Evidence at Crime Scenes A. Locations B. Storage IV. CODIS Conclusion: CODIS is used in the national, state, and local index system networks to link typing results from unsolved crimes with cases in multiple jurisdictions or persons convicted of offenses specified in the data banking laws passed by the jurisdictions. Blood's individual qualities were recognized years ago when doctors realized some transfusions were successful while others were immediately fatal. From observation came the ABO typing system and the first understanding of the Rhesus factor. While there are extremely rare or exotic blood types, most people can be classified into the A, B, O, or AB blood types. The fact that an AB type exists at all told early investigators that every individual actually carries two alleles, or traits that determine blood type-one inherited from each parent. Further studies proved that if each parent contributed an O allele, the child would be type O, but if one parent contributed an A and

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Playing God Will Not Help Us Grow - clonning.

Playing God Will Not Help Us Grow By: David Miron 4605756 For T.A. Matthew Furlong Concordia University, Problem Solving and Academic Strategies, Inte298P March 24, 2004 Table of Contents I. Introduction...................................................... 3 II. Ethical arguments against cloning................................... 4 III. Instability of Cloning in this Day and Age........................ 8 IV. The Emotional Risks of cloning..................................... 10 V. The Counterargument.................................................. 13 VI. Conclusion................................................................ 14 VII. Works Cited............................................................ 15 I. Introduction So The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then The Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:21-24). I believe that over time God has given the human race many great skills in order to progress, skills such as: the power to fly,

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The Lambda Protocol

The Lambda

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  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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The Relevance of the Human Genome Project in Biomedicine: Genes, Health and Future

The Relevance of the Human Genome Project in Biomedicine: Genes, Health and Future Abstract: The Human Genome Project began in 1990 and the project was set to end in 2005 but ended up finishing earlier than was expected in the year 2003. The improvement of technology (such as faster sequencing machines; these could sequence millions of pairs of human genomes at a fast rate) made this project finish quicker then was calculated. A large amount of scientists and researchers was involved in this project, and great knowledge and accomplishments were set to follow. The Human Genome Project provided great relevance to genes, health and future once researchers gained a vast knowledge about the way the human genome works in DNA and the relevance of genes in the way genes functions in tissues too. This has also helped in the medical industry as we now have more ways to find out the treatment and diagnosis of illnesses and genetic disorders such as cancer. Furthermore since the completion of the Human Genome Project, scientists and researchers are still finding out new information about human genomes and the way genes have effect on the human body. Introduction: What is the Human Genome Project? The Human Genome Project was an idea first acknowledged by Robert Sinsheimer in the year 1985; he was based at the University of California. At first no one took his idea seriously since it

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Public awareness of Cloning

Introduction Cloning could only happen in science fiction movies but now it seems like it is becoming a reality or is it? In this 21st century, anything is possible and this has been proven when the first man landed on the moon. Now there are talks of cloning going around and arousing suspicions in each persons mind. What is cloning? It is simply a term used when producing an identical of something but 'what' is the question. The discovery of DNA proved to be the ultimate discovery of all time as scientist has a better understanding of what we are. .1 Background Information Ever since the discovery of DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, there had been amazing discoveries that had helped human race especially in the world of medicine and farmers in increasing the food production. Each year, scientists become more aware of what DNA is and how we inherit some characteristics from our parents. Then questions on possible cloning began to stir. Tests were carried out, experiments were done on animals and the results were both devastating and amazing. First of all, what is DNA cloning? To different people it has different meaning. According to a website www.cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk, DNA cloning is 'the use of DNA manipulation procedures to produce multiple copies of a single gene or segment of DNA'. 1970's was when animal cloning began and the animal that was usually tested on was mice.

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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