Chapter 1: Introducing Genomes

Introduction

The discovery of DNA structure and the structure of nuleotides. Defining the 5′ and 3′ ends. (pp. 7-9)

The double helix

The structure of polynucleotides and the double helix. Base pairs, stacking interactions, and hydrogen bonds. (pp. 9-13)

The goal of the human genome project was to sequence all of the base pairs

Writing DNA sequences. (pp. 13-14)

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Bacteria vs prokaryotes. The Age of Bacteria. "Higher" vs "lower." (pp. 14-16)
[We live in the age of bacteria]

How big is your genome?

Historical estimates of the weight of DNA (3.5 pg). Calculating the number of base pairs (3.2 × 10⁹ bp). Length of the genome. (pp. 16-18)
[How big is the human genome (2023)?] [Genome size confusion]

Packaging DNA: nucleosomes and chromatin

Histones, core particles, nucleosomes, and chromatin. Heterochromatin and euchromatin. Sequencing the euchromatic genome. (pp. 19-21)

Transcription

"A gene is a DNA sequence that's transcribed to produce a functional product." Transcription initiation, elongaton, termination. (pp. 21-24)

Translation

Messenger RNA. Gene orientation: template strand, coding strand. Initiation, elongation (peptide bond), termination. (pp. 24-27)

The genetic code

Aminacylated tRNA. Standard genetic code. (pp. 27-29)

Introns and exons

Protein-coding genes, noncoding genes. RNA processing, splicing, spliceosome. (pp. 29-32)

Notes for Chapter 1 (pp. 317-318)