This document provides an overview of biology and DNA. It discusses the four major types of organic compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins), the structure of DNA as a double helix with a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous base rungs, the two step process of DNA to protein through transcription and translation, how genes code for proteins, and how mutations in DNA can result in genetic diseases. It also briefly discusses multicellular organisms, specialized cells, examples of cell types, and the hierarchy of the human body.

1. Biology and DNA Review
Honors Human
Anatomy and Physiology

2. Organic Chemistry
4 major types of organic compounds
(“molecules of life”)
–Carbohydrates
–Lipids
–Nucleic acids
–Proteins

3. The Big Picture…

4. DNA
Nucleic Acid
–Contains hereditary information
–protein made when DNA is expressed
• Hair color, eye color, tissues,
enzymes, etc
Deoxyribonucleic acid
–Monomer = nucleotide
• Sugar (ribose), phosphate,
nitrogenous base

5. Nucleotide

6. Structure of DNA
Double Helix
–Sugar-Phosphate
Backbone
–Nitrogenous base
“rungs”

7. DNA to Protein – 2 steps
Transcription
– DNA --> RNA
– Complementary base pairing rules (uracil
instead of thymine)
– nucleus
Translation
– RNA-->protein
– Genetic code
– ribosomes

8. Genes and Proteins
Genes = specific sequences of DNA that
“code” for a particular protein
Proteins are built by stringing together
amino acids
–Amino acid = building block (monomer)
of proteins.
–Where do amino acids come from?

11. Why do we need this in
Human Phys?
Mutations
(mistakes) in DNA
sometimes result in
non-functioning or
malfunctioning
proteins
Genetic diseases or
disorders may
result.

12. DNA technology
Gene
therapy/geneti
c counseling
Genetic
diagnostics

13. Don’t Forget About the Cell!

14. Multicellular Organisms
Cells are specialized to perform particular
functions.
–One cell in a multicellular organism can
not do all of the functions of the whole
organism.
–Cells work as “teams.”
–Some cells move, react to the
environment, produce substances,
transport substances, send signals,
provide protection…

15. Specialized cells
Cell with specific function = specific
organelles to accomplish that function
– Example: Pancreatic cells produce
enzymes to help digest food.
• What kind of molecule are enzymes?
• What organelles do you think pancreatic
cells have a lot of?

16. Examples
Skin cells
Nerve cells
Muscle cells
Blood cells

17. Hierarchy of the Body
Atom
Molecule
Organelle
Cell
Tissue
Organ
Organ system
Organism (Human)