Lecture 16: DNA and Heredity

DNA and RNA are the key molecules of living cells. DNA plays a vital role in storing and transmitting the hereditary information that constitutes the "operating instructions" of living cells; how to construct the functional and structural proteins that perform vital cell functions, control developmental pathways, and basically "build" the organism. RNA is the crucial actor in protein synthesis and other cell functions. Mutations, changes in the DNA coding, are the molecular basis for evolution, providing the genetic variation required by natural selection. Understanding the molecular basis of heredity and evolution gives us important insights into the functional requirements for life. Recorded live on 2009 Oct 15 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.