Bioinformatics Case

Introduction

The discovery of DNA structure as a double helix and its function as the genetic material of the cell were major scientific achievements of the 20th century. Countless scientists have contributed to our understanding of the process by which DNA is replicated prior to cell division, and the functional role that DNA plays in the synthesis of RNA, which eventually results in the synthesis of proteins. The main purpose of this report is to describing cell, DNA, RNA, Proteins and the basic relations between them.

Cell

The cell, whether bacterial or nucleated, is the minimal unit of life. Many of the fundamental properties of cells are a function of their nucleic acids, their proteins, and the interactions among these molecules bounded by active membranes. Within the nuclear regions of cells is a blend of twisted and interwoven fine threads, the chromosomes. Chromosomes by weight are composed of 50 to 60 percent protein and 40 to 50 percent DNA. During cell division, in all cells but those of bacteria, the chromosomes display an elegantly choreographed movement, separating so that each offspring of the original cell receives an equal complement of chromosomal material. This pattern of segregation corresponds in all details to the theoretically predicted pattern of segregation of the genetic material implied by the fundamental genetic laws (see heredity). The chromosome combination of the DNA and the proteins is called nucleoprotein. The DNA stripped of its protein is known to carry genetic information and to determine details of proteins produced in the cytoplasm of cells; the proteins in nucleoprotein regulate the shape, behavior, and activities of the chromosomes themselves.

DNA&RNA

DNA and RNA are the genetic material that is found in every living cell. These compounds are responsible for cell reproduction and production of proteins necessary for life. While each of these compounds carries information coded by genes, they differ in a number of ways. First, we need to know some basic concepts about DNA, RNA and its replications.

1. DNA

DNA, as we know, is the building block of life. It is the specific carrier of the genetic information in all organisms. DNA carries the genetic information of a cell and consists of thousands of genes. Each gene serves as a recipe on how to build a protein molecule. Watson-Crick has discovered the current-structure of DNA in 1953.The famous double-helix structure of DNA has its own significance. There are basically four nucleotide bases, which make up the DNA. Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T) and Cytosine(C).

2. RNA

Like DNA, the RNA molecule, is built up by nucleotides linked together in a chain. There are some differences though:

1. The RNA molecule is single stranded, while the DNA consists of two complementary strands attached to one another.

2. In RNA, the four bases are almost the same as they are in DNA except that Thymine (T) is replaced by Uracil (U).

3. The sugar in RNA is ribose. In RNA it is deoxyribose.

There are three major types of RNA: 1) mRNA, messenger-RNA, which transfers the information about the amino acid sequence from the DNA to the protein synthesis. 2) rRNA, ribosomal-RNA, which builds