🎓 Senior Secondary
| CBSE • Biology

Molecular Basis of Inheritance

DNA structure, replication, transcription, genetic code, translation.

1 Lesson 1 MCQ 1 Mnemonic
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Lesson

Molecular Basis of Inheritance — Complete Lesson

?? DNA Structure (Watson-Crick Model, 1953)

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a double-stranded helix. Each strand is a polynucleotide chain consisting of:

  • ?? Deoxyribose sugar
  • ?? Phosphate group
  • ?? Nitrogenous base (Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine)
Chargaff's Rule (Base Pairing):
A pairs with T (2 hydrogen bonds)
G pairs with C (3 hydrogen bonds)
? %A = %T and %G = %C in any DNA

?? DNA Replication (Semi-Conservative)

Proposed by Watson and Crick; proved by Meselson and Stahl (1958). Each strand serves as a template for a new complementary strand. The result: 2 daughter DNA molecules, each with one old and one new strand.

?? Transcription (DNA ? mRNA)

The process of making mRNA from a DNA template. Key points:

  • Template strand is read 3'?5'
  • mRNA is synthesised 5'?3'
  • Uracil (U) replaces Thymine (T) in RNA
  • Enzyme: RNA Polymerase

?? Genetic Code

  • A codon = 3 consecutive mRNA bases coding for 1 amino acid
  • 64 codons total (4³); 61 code for amino acids, 3 are stop codons
  • AUG = start codon (also codes for Methionine)
  • UAA, UAG, UGA = stop codons
  • Code is degenerate (multiple codons for same amino acid) and universal
Central Dogma (Francis Crick):
DNA ? (Transcription) ? mRNA ? (Translation) ? Protein
Reverse transcription possible in retroviruses (e.g., HIV).
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Molecular Basis of Inheritance — Mcq

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Memory Trick

Molecular Basis of Inheritance — Mnemonic

Mnemonics for "Molecular Basis of Inheritance" (CBSE Class 12 Biology)

  • 🔬 DNA Structure: "P-S-B-N" (Phosphate, Sugar, Base, Nitrogen)
    Hindi Trick: “पीता शरबत बिना नींबू के नहीं” 🍹
    (Pita Sharbat Bina Neembu Ke Nahin) — Remember the DNA backbone: Phosphate (P), Sugar (S), Base (B), Nitrogen (N).
  • 🧬 Central Dogma Flow: "DNA to RNA to Protein"
    Funny Acronym: “D.R.P. = Doctor Raps Perfectly” 🎤
    (D - DNA, R - RNA, P - Protein) helps recall the flow of genetic info: DNA → RNA → Protein.
  • 🧪 Enzymes in DNA Replication: "H-P-L" (Helicase, Primase, Ligase)
    Hindi Rhyming Phrase: “हेलो प्राइम लीजिये” 👋
    (Hello Prime Lijiye) — To remember key enzymes:
    • Helicase - Unzips DNA
    • Primase - Adds RNA primer
    • Ligase - Joins Okazaki fragments
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