Title: Week 9 - Unit 4_1: DNA Structure and Genome Organization
Course: Biochemistry

Introduction

The Watson-Crick model suggested the model of DNA double-helix structure. DNA consists of two antiparallel strand held together by hydrogen bond, and constitutes of nucleotides. Each nucleotide is composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose), and a phosphate group. There are four nitrogenous bases in DNA, two purines (A and G) and two pyrimidines (C and T). Ribonucleic acid (RNA) a single-stranded nucleic acid. It contains ribose sugar, rather than deoxyribose, and the nucleotide uracil rather than thymine.

Expectation

In this chapter, brief history how DNA has been discovered as the main molecules that carry genetic information through generation. In addition, this chapter is intended to describe the structure of the main type of nucleic acid that carry genetic information: DNA.

Course outline

1. Discovery of DNA
2. DNA structure
3. DNA packaging

Learning outcomes

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Review the historical discoveries that led to establishing DNA as the genetic material.
2. Describe how DNA is a double helix structure.
3. Learn the base-pairing rule, its underlying reason and its effect on the DNA structure.
4. Distinguish between DNA, gene, chromosome and genome.
5. Explain the DNA structure.