How Does the Body Use DNA as a Blueprint? (FutureLearn)

How Does the Body Use DNA as a Blueprint? (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to the basics of molecular biology, and how DNA code works. Find out how the body repairs and regulates itself. Every part of the body is made according to a code that is carried in the body’s cells. This code is called DNA, and knowing how it works is fundamental to understanding how the body regulates itself throughout our lives.

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On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the basics of molecular biology, and how DNA code works inside the human body.
You’ll find out what DNA code represents, how it creates proteins inside the body, and what key molecules are involved. You’ll also learn how these molecules communicate and interact with each other inside the body.

What topics will you cover?

  • What are the key molecules involved in molecular biology?
  • The role of reproduction in producing an individual’s DNA code
  • What does the DNA code represent?
  • Using the DNA code to create proteins
  • How do molecules within the body communicate with one another?

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Summarise the structure and relevance of DNA
  • Describe the processes involved in reproduction at a molecular level that result in an individual’s DNA
  • Describe the key molecules involved in protein synthesis
  • Explain and compare the different stages of protein synthesis
  • Summarise the key principles involved in molecular signalling
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