DNA for Dinner Lesson 3: DNA for DInner

Appetizer

In the first two lessons, participants learned that information that determines traits of an organism is contained in its genes; and collectively, all of the genes are like a library of cookbooks, called a genome. The genome has individual sets of cookbooks, called chromosomes that exist in matching pairs. The next generation of the organism randomly receives one half of its genetic information from one parent and the other half from the other parent. That is why children are not identical to either parent or to each other (except identical twins). Genes in the genome are like specific recipes in a cookbook and are responsible for an organism’s characteristics, like its height, weight and color. Genetic information, or genes, in a genome is recorded in its DNA using the genetic code.

In this lesson we will learn that all living organisms are made of one or many tiny building blocks, called cells – like individual bricks in a building. The number of cells in the human body is estimated to be 10 to 100 trillion. Plants are also made up of cells and for large plants, like corn and trees, cells likely also number in the trillions. Nearly all cells in a living organism have a "control center" called a nucleus that contains the entire genome, arranged in chromosomes, each of which has a complementary pair of DNA strands. Individual genes can be seen using fluorescent tags, that light up like glow sticks and stick to the gene like a piece of Velcro.

The human body has many kinds of cells: heart, blood, nerve, and many others. Plants also have many different cells, in the root, leaves and seeds. Although cells look alike on the outside, on the inside they can look different, with many smaller structures, or organelles, that perform different functions. It is possible to see the small organelles inside the cell with fluorescent dyes that stain specific organelles. You have already learned about the nucleus. There are also organelles that store oils (oil body) or starch (starch granule), produce energy (mitochondrion), or convert light into energy (chloroplasts).

What determines what different plants do is contained in its DNA. So, information in one organism's DNA differs from that in another organism. But the four chemical units making up the DNA, abbreviated as A, C, G and T, are the same. The units are arranged in a code, like we learned about in Lesson 2. The code specifies the information that makes proteins. So, as the content of two books or two organisms is different even though they are written in the same language. DNA is essential to life, just like other chemicals, water, minerals, vitamins, sugars, proteins, starch and fat. Foods and drinks we consume replenish our cell’s needs for these chemicals. With few exceptions, many of these chemicals, including DNA, is found in every living cell and thus in many foods we eat.

Next: What's in a Word?



		Appetizer In the first two lessons, participants learned that information that determines traits of an organism is contained in its genes; and collectively, all of the genes are like a library of cookbooks, called a genome. The genome has individual sets of cookbooks, called chromosomes that exist in matching pairs. The next generation of the organism randomly receives one half of its genetic information from one parent and the other half from the other parent. That is why children are not identical to either parent or to each other (except identical twins). Genes in the genome are like specific recipes in a cookbook and are responsible for an organism’s characteristics, like its height, weight and color. Genetic information, or genes, in a genome is recorded in its DNA using the genetic code. In this lesson we will learn that all living organisms are made of one or many tiny building blocks, called cells – like individual bricks in a building. The number of cells in the human body is estimated to be 10 to 100 trillion. Plants are also made up of cells and for large plants, like corn and trees, cells likely also number in the trillions. Nearly all cells in a living organism have a "control center" called a nucleus that contains the entire genome, arranged in chromosomes, each of which has a complementary pair of DNA strands. Individual genes can be seen using fluorescent tags, that light up like glow sticks and stick to the gene like a piece of Velcro. The human body has many kinds of cells: heart, blood, nerve, and many others. Plants also have many different cells, in the root, leaves and seeds. Although cells look alike on the outside, on the inside they can look different, with many smaller structures, or organelles, that perform different functions. It is possible to see the small organelles inside the cell with fluorescent dyes that stain specific organelles. You have already learned about the nucleus. There are also organelles that store oils (oil body) or starch (starch granule), produce energy (mitochondrion), or convert light into energy (chloroplasts). What determines what different plants do is contained in its DNA. So, information in one organism's DNA differs from that in another organism. But the four chemical units making up the DNA, abbreviated as A, C, G and T, are the same. The units are arranged in a code, like we learned about in Lesson 2. The code specifies the information that makes proteins. So, as the content of two books or two organisms is different even though they are written in the same language. DNA is essential to life, just like other chemicals, water, minerals, vitamins, sugars, proteins, starch and fat. Foods and drinks we consume replenish our cell’s needs for these chemicals. With few exceptions, many of these chemicals, including DNA, is found in every living cell and thus in many foods we eat. Next: What's in a Word?
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