🧬 Genetics — Intro#

Scope — Basic units of heredity, DNA structure, and how genetic information is transmitted.

Key concepts#

• Gene — DNA segment encoding a functional product (often a protein).
• DNA structure — double helix of nucleotide bases (A, T, C, G) with complementary pairing.
• Central dogma — DNA → RNA → Protein; transcription and translation link genotype to phenotype.

Seed Q&A triads#

• Q: What is the chemical basis of base pairing in DNA?
  A: Hydrogen bonds: A pairs with T (two H‑bonds), C pairs with G (three H‑bonds), producing complementary strands.

• Q: How does a gene differ from a chromosome?
  A: A gene is a specific DNA sequence; a chromosome is a large DNA molecule containing many genes plus regulatory regions.

• Q: What is the role of mRNA?
  A: mRNA carries a transcribed copy of a gene’s coding sequence from the nucleus to ribosomes for translation.

Quick activities#

• Draw a short DNA segment and label the sugar‑phosphate backbone and base pairs; transcribe it to mRNA.