DNA

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Definition: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries genetic information essential for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. It serves as the hereditary material in humans and almost all other living organisms.

Structure of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

1. Double Helix: DNA consists of two long strands that coil around each other, forming a structure known as a double helix. Each strand is composed of a backbone made of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
2. Nucleotides: The basic building blocks of DNA are nucleotides, each consisting of:

• A phosphate group
• A sugar molecule (deoxyribose)
• One of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), or cytosine (C).

1. Base Pairing: The two strands are held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases:

• Adenine pairs with thymine (A-T)
• Guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C)

1. Genetic Code: The sequence of these bases encodes biological information, such as the instructions for making proteins and RNA molecules. Genes, which are segments of DNA, determine specific traits by encoding proteins that perform various functions in the body.

Functions of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

• Genetic Information Storage: DNA contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. The specific order of the bases along the DNA strand determines the genetic code.
• Replication: DNA can replicate itself, allowing genetic information to be passed from one generation to the next during cell division.
• Protein Synthesis: Although DNA carries the genetic blueprint, it does not directly produce proteins. Instead, it undergoes a process called transcription to create messenger RNA (mRNA), which then guides protein synthesis in a process called translation.

Importance of DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is fundamental to all biological processes and is central to fields such as genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Understanding DNA has led to significant advancements in medicine, forensic science, and evolutionary biology.

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References

1. National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). Retrieved from Genome.gov [1].
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4. Wikipedia. (2023). DNA. Retrieved from Wikipedia [4].
5. BYJU’S. (n.d.). What Is DNA? Meaning, Types, Structure and Functions. Retrieved from BYJU’S [5].
6. Britannica. (2023). DNA | Definition, Discovery, Function, Bases, Facts, & Structure. Retrieved from Britannica [6].
7. Nature Scitable. (n.d.). Introduction: What is DNA? Retrieved from Nature [7].
8. NCBI PMC Articles. (2016). HLA Mismatching Strategies for Solid Organ Transplantation – A Balancing Act. Retrieved from NCBI [8].