How to use these mnemonics: Read each acronym device aloud, then trace through the letter-by-letter expansion below it. Visualise the linked concepts. Test yourself by covering the expansion and recalling from the device alone.
All 8 Mnemonics for Molecular Basis of Inheritance
1. Purines vs Pyrimidines — "Pure As Gold" / "CUT the Py"
Mnemonic Device
Purines = Adenine & Guanine (Pure As Gold) · Pyrimidines = C, U, T (CUT)
PurinesAdenine, Guanine — double ring (Pure As Gold)
PyrimidinesCytosine, Uracil, Thymine — single ring (CUT)
PairingA=T (2 bonds), G≡C (3 bonds)
2. Double helix numbers — "3.4 / 10 / 0.34 / 2"
Mnemonic Device
Pitch 3.4 nm · 10 bp per turn · rise 0.34 nm · diameter 2 nm
3.4 nmOne full turn (pitch)
10Base pairs per turn
0.34 nmDistance between adjacent base pairs
2 nmUniform diameter
3. Search for genetic material — "GAH!" (Griffith→Avery→Hershey)
Mnemonic Device
Griffith (transformation) → Avery et al. (DNA) → Hershey-Chase (proof)
GGriffith 1928 — transforming principle in Streptococcus
AAvery, MacLeod, McCarty — the principle is DNA
HHershey & Chase 1952 — ³²P DNA enters, proving DNA is genetic material
4. Central Dogma — "Do Read The Protein"
Mnemonic Device
DNA → (transcription) RNA → (translation) → Protein