Palm Beach State Collage Structure of DNA Discussions Replies

Chapter 16.7 – Chapter 16 Discussion

Read and evaluate at least two of your peer’s postings and compose substantial in-depth responses for both. 

Include examples in your discussion.

Correct grammar and spelling are required.

• How to Participate:
• Once you read the discussion question, select REPLY to post your answers.
• MARCOS- 
• Describe how the structure of DNA is correlated with its role as the molecular basis of inheritance?           

“DNA carries all the genetic information of an individual. When it replicates each strand gives rise to a daughter strand and passes the genetic information to it. This way it forms the basis of inheritance. Molecular basis of inheritance involves the study of genes, genetic variations and heredity. It explains how an offspring looks like the parents. DNA, RNA and genetic code form the basis of the molecular basis of inheritance. They transmit the hereditary genes from the parents to the offspring. The genetic code can be defined as a set of rules wherein the information encoded in genetic materials are translated into proteins by living cells”https://byjus.com/biology/molecular-basis-of-inheritance/#:~:text=How%20does%20DNA%20play%20a,forms%20the%20basis%20of%20inheritance (Links to an external site.). DNA is a double-helical structure that carries all the genetic information to their offspring and down their kids.

TATIANA- 

Describe how the structure of DNA is correlated with its role as the molecular basis of inheritance?           

• DNA is the most prevalent form of genetic material in the known world of living species (Travers & Muskhelishvili, 2015). By looking at DNA, we find a great example of structure relating or even lending to function. Every aspect of the structure of DNA correlates to some part of its function. First, The overall double helix structure allows for the DNA nucleotides to be protected, as they are on the inside of the strands, by the very sturdy backbones and since they are hydrogen bonded to each other on the inside it makes it very hard for anything else to try to break it open and react/form bonds with the molecules and Hydrogen bonding donor/acceptors on the As, Ts, Cs, and Gs. The backbone protects the nucleotides and keeps them in the correct locations and keeps the DNA from being easily taken apart. Second, the double helix lends itself very well to being copied. The double helix is of critical importance to the functioning, the physical and the chemical properties of DNA (Travers & Muskhelishvili, 2015). Since DNA nucleotides are held together from one strand to another with H-bonding, it is easy for certain proteins to come and “unzip” the double helix and copy the DNA. H-bonding is a very strong IMF, but it is not strong compared to the covalent bonds that hold the nucleotides to the backbone. After the protein cuts open the H-bond and copies the DNA segment the Hydrogen bonds reform since they are extremely favorable for overall molecular conformations. Thirdly, the double helix with the pairing of nucleotides, A with T and C with G, makes DNA very easy to copy. This pairing makes it very simple to copy since these pairs always go together and never switch parings. The ordering/combinations of these pairs allows for the entirety of all genetic codes and even though it is a relatively simple set of pairings and structure DNA holds every bit of genetic code. The simple pairings still can be ordered in enough variety to account for a basically limitless number of traits, and characteristics. All of these features of the structure of DNA allow it to be extremely successful and efficient in its function as the molecular basis of inheritance. The simplicity of its base pairing system allows for relatively easy and noncomplex replication, its shape allows for the nucleotide pairings to be protected from outside molecules or potential reactions, and the hydrogen bonding of the base pairs together creates stability and a sturdy hold on the other strand while also being easy enough to break for replication without risking the initial strands functionality after it is replicated (since it is easy to reform the hydrogen bonds broken during replication).

References

• Travers, A., & Muskhelishvili, G. (2015). DNA structure and function. FEBS Journal, 282(12), 2279–2295. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.13307