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DNA Structure Replication and Mitosis Lab Manual

This lab manual covers DNA structure, replication, and mitosis, detailing objectives and practical exercises. It explains the composition of DNA, base-pairing rules, and the process of DNA replication, emphasizing the semi-conservative nature of replication. The manual includes hands-on activities to reinforce understanding of DNA concepts.

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29 views2 pages

DNA Structure Replication and Mitosis Lab Manual

This lab manual covers DNA structure, replication, and mitosis, detailing objectives and practical exercises. It explains the composition of DNA, base-pairing rules, and the process of DNA replication, emphasizing the semi-conservative nature of replication. The manual includes hands-on activities to reinforce understanding of DNA concepts.

Uploaded by

ecovaceuszach
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Lab 2: DNA Structure, Replication, and Mitosis

This lab manual outlines the objectives, theoretical background, and practical exercises
for understanding DNA structure, replication, and the process of mitosis.

Part A: DNA Structure and Replication

Objectives
• Describe the basic structure and function of DNA.
• Explain base-pairing rules and the double helix structure.
• Model DNA replication using hands-on materials.
• Utilize correct vocabulary related to DNA and replication.

DNA Structure
• Composition: DNA consists of two complementary strands joined by hydrogen bonds.
Each strand is a polymer of nucleotides (deoxyribonucleotides).
• Nucleotide Components: Each nucleotide contains a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate
group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or
thymine (T).
• Backbone: Nucleotides are covalently linked by a sugar-phosphate backbone, forming a
helical structure with bases facing inwards.
• Polarity: DNA has directionality (polarity) due to the exposed hydroxyl group on the 3'
carbon and the phosphate group on the 5' carbon, resulting in a 3' end and a 5' end.
• Base Pairing Rules: Specific complementary base pairing occurs: Adenine (A) pairs with
Thymine (T) via two hydrogen bonds, and Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C) via three
hydrogen bonds.
• Antiparallel Strands: The two DNA strands run in opposite directions (one 5' to 3', the
other 3' to 5'), a characteristic known as antiparallelism.
• Double Helix: The bonding between complementary bases causes the molecule to twist
into a double helix.

DNA Replication
• Purpose: DNA replication is the process by which a cell copies its DNA before division,
ensuring each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.
• Key Steps:
▪︎ The DNA double helix is unwound by the enzyme helicase.
▪︎ The enzyme DNA polymerase synthesizes new strands by adding nucleotides to the
3' end of an RNA primer, proceeding in the 5' to 3' direction.
▪︎ New strands are complementary to the original template strands.
▪︎ Replication is semi-conservative, meaning each new DNA molecule consists of one
original (old) strand and one newly synthesized strand.
▪︎ This process results in two DNA molecules identical to each other and to the original
molecule.

Tasks and Exercises (Part A)


• Exercise 1: DNA Structure—Card Sorting: Match DNA terms with their definitions and
identify them on a DNA model.
• Exercise 2: DNA Components—Card Sorting: Sort DNA component cards into
categories:

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