Lecture 16: DNA and Heredity
DNA and RNA are the key molecules of living cells. DNA plays a vital role \nin storing and transmitting the hereditary information that constitutes\nthe "operating instructions" of living cells; how to construct the functional\nand structural proteins that perform vital cell functions, control\ndevelopmental pathways, and basically "build" the organism. RNA is the\ncrucial actor in protein synthesis and other cell functions. Mutations,\nchanges in the DNA coding, are the molecular basis for evolution,\nproviding the genetic variation required by natural selection.\nUnderstanding the molecular basis of heredity and evolution gives us\nimportant insights into the functional requirements for life. Recorded\nlive on 2009 Oct 15 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus\nof The Ohio State University.