DNA Structure
Chromosomes
Chromosomes are strands of wounded up DNA called a double helix. The number of chromosomes determine the complexity of an organism. Your chromosomes come from your parents. You have two sets of 23 chromosomes 1 set from your mum and 1 set from you dad. The chromosome that determine your gender are the X and Y chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes and males have an X and a Y. DNA DNA is a long molecule with two stands twisted together to make what is called a double helix. Between each strand are cross-links called bases. Its basic structure is familiar to a ladder that has been twisted into a spiral. It is important that they form complementary base pairs, adenine (A) pairs on the same base as Thymine (T) and Cytoine (C) pairs on the same base as Guanine (G). Each cell contains two meters of a single DNA strand. The DNA strand is shaped like a double helix/ a twisted ladder because the shape helps to protect your genetic information. Cells Cells are the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is typically microscopic and consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane. The nucleus contains chromosomes which are made up of wounded up DNA. References- What are Chromosomes 2012, NIH, accessed 24 March 2015, <https://www.genome.gov/26524120>.
- What are Cells 2015, Genetics Home Reference, accessed 24 March 2015, <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/basics/cell>. |