DNA and Genes
DNA and Genes (Extended Notes) DNA: The Molecule of Heredity What is DNA? An organism?s environment influences how an organism develops, but the organism?s DNA holds the genetic information and determines its traits. DNA achieves this by controlling the structure of proteins. Your body is made up of proteins Your body?s functions depend on proteins called enzymes In the 1950s scientists thought protein was the genetic material In 1952 Hershey and Chase infected bacteria with radioactive viruses (one was radioactive protein & the other was radioactive DNA) Only the radioactive DNA entered the bacteria and produced new viruses DNA is a complex organic molecule called a polymer. The monomers, or repeating subunits, that make up DNA are called nucleotides.