NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology, Chapter 6 - Molecular Basis of Inheritance

In this chapter, you will study the pattern and structure of DNA and RNA and other subtopics. The chapter provides an introduction to the most intriguing molecules that exist in the living organisms which we refer to as DNA. You will learn about the importance of this genetic material and its relation with RNA in this chapter.

The subtopics of chapter 6 of Biology are: 

6.1. The DNA

6.2. The Search for Genetic Material

6.3. RNA World

6.4. Replication

6.5. Transcription

6.6. Genetic Code

6.7. Translation

6.8. Regulation of Gene Expression

6.9. Human Genome Project

6.10. DNA Fingerprinting

Let us look at the contents of the Molecular Basis of Inheritance Class 12 NCERT.

Section 6.1: In this section, DNA has been explained. DNA stands for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid. This is a hereditary material that is present in human beings. Every cell in the body is made of DNA, and this DNA is located in the nucleus of the cell, which is known as nuclear DNA.

The structure of Polynucleotide Chain is studied in this section. The salient features of the Double helix structure of DNA are also given.

Section 6.2: In this section of chapter 6, the Search for Genetic Material is explained. Here the Transforming Principle and the Biochemical Characteristics of Transforming Principle have been discussed as well.

Martha Chase and Alfred Hershey conducted an experiment which showed proof that DNA is the genetic material. Both of them worked with viruses which infect bacteria known as bacteriophages.

The properties of Genetic Material (DNA vs RNA) are discussed here.

Section 6.3: For this segment, RNA World has been explained. RNA was the first genetic material.

Section 6.4: In this section, you will learn how DNA is replicated and the scheme used has also been discussed, which is known as semiconservative.

Section 6.5: Transcription is the process of copying information from one strand of the DNA into RNA.

The three regions of the transcription unit are mentioned in this section.

Section 6.6: The set of rules which is used by living cells to interpret information which is encoded within DNA or RNA sequences into proteins is known as genetic code. The salient features of the code are also given here.

Section 6.7: In this section, the process of polymerisation of amino acids to form a polypeptide has been discussed. This process is known as Translation.

Section 6.8: Regulation of gene refers to a broad term that can occur in numerous levels. The Lac Operon has been discussed in this section as well.

Section 6.9: In this section, the Human Genome Project (HGP) or the Mega Project is explained. The Human Genome Project was a scientific research project whose goal was to determine the base pairs that comprise the human DNA and to identify and map the genes of the human genome from a functional and a physical viewpoint.

Section 6.10: In this section, DNA Fingerprinting is explained. DNA Fingerprinting is the process of identifying the difference that appears in the DNA sequence. It identifies the difference that arises in specific areas in the sequence of DNA, which is called repetitive DNA.

For answers to all questions related to this chapter, you can refer to the Molecular Basis of Inheritance NCERT Solutions at UrbanPro. You can also download the Molecular Basis of Inheritance NCERT PDF.