Ever wondered how are people's genetic make ups defined? Believe it or not but the genetic information among all living organisms except for viruses are controlled by strands of nucleic acids called deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA.
DNA serves as the human body's blueprint or code.
Its segments called genes store the vital information that depicts the hereditary make up of an organism.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is primarily found in the cell's special organelle called the nucleus.
However, they may also be found in the mitochondria or the cell's power house.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is composed of chemical building blocks called nucleotides.
These nucleotides are made up of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a link of nitrogenous bases.
The four nucleotide bases that form DNA are the adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T).
Each of them is specifically paired with the other.
Adenine and Guanine are paired to form purines while cytosine and thymine are bound to produce pyrimidines.
This specific arrangement, which is also termed as the Chargaff's rule, plays a vital role in the process of replicating a DNA molecule.
With regard to replication, the process starts after a weak chemical bond is broken by enzymes into two poly-nucleic chains.
As the base pairs were separated into halves, the surrounding chemical bases may bind to them to form new DNA strands.
As the process continues, more and more daughter DNA molecules are being replicated.
Damage to the process may cause cell mutation where deletion and addition of base pairs occur.
Other than the genetic function of deoxyribonucleic acid, it also plays an important role in the protein synthesis.
Basically, there are two major processes involved in protein synthesis.
These are the translation and transcription.
The DNA works hand in hand with RNA in working out on the procedures.
RNA molecules have a similar structure same as to a DNA except that they are shorter and have the base uracil in place of a thymine.
As years passed by, DNA has been used in various technological developments.
Nowadays, DNA molecules are used in genetic engineering or genetic modification.
This technological advancement is used to directly manipulate an organism's genetic material.
Using recombinant DNA techniques, a genetically modified organism is created.
This was first done in bacteria in 1973, followed by a mouse in 1974.
This has been significant in the discovery of insulin-producing bacteria and herbicide-tolerant crops.
Furthermore, DNA molecules are also beneficial among forensic experts in solving a crime.
By taking specimens like blood, semen, skin, hair or saliva found in a crime scene, the experts may determine who are the involved persons are.
This process is also called as DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting.
It was first discovered by the British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984, and was first used in 1988 in convicting Colin pitchfork in the Enderby murder case.
DNA serves as the human body's blueprint or code.
Its segments called genes store the vital information that depicts the hereditary make up of an organism.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is primarily found in the cell's special organelle called the nucleus.
However, they may also be found in the mitochondria or the cell's power house.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is composed of chemical building blocks called nucleotides.
These nucleotides are made up of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a link of nitrogenous bases.
The four nucleotide bases that form DNA are the adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T).
Each of them is specifically paired with the other.
Adenine and Guanine are paired to form purines while cytosine and thymine are bound to produce pyrimidines.
This specific arrangement, which is also termed as the Chargaff's rule, plays a vital role in the process of replicating a DNA molecule.
With regard to replication, the process starts after a weak chemical bond is broken by enzymes into two poly-nucleic chains.
As the base pairs were separated into halves, the surrounding chemical bases may bind to them to form new DNA strands.
As the process continues, more and more daughter DNA molecules are being replicated.
Damage to the process may cause cell mutation where deletion and addition of base pairs occur.
Other than the genetic function of deoxyribonucleic acid, it also plays an important role in the protein synthesis.
Basically, there are two major processes involved in protein synthesis.
These are the translation and transcription.
The DNA works hand in hand with RNA in working out on the procedures.
RNA molecules have a similar structure same as to a DNA except that they are shorter and have the base uracil in place of a thymine.
As years passed by, DNA has been used in various technological developments.
Nowadays, DNA molecules are used in genetic engineering or genetic modification.
This technological advancement is used to directly manipulate an organism's genetic material.
Using recombinant DNA techniques, a genetically modified organism is created.
This was first done in bacteria in 1973, followed by a mouse in 1974.
This has been significant in the discovery of insulin-producing bacteria and herbicide-tolerant crops.
Furthermore, DNA molecules are also beneficial among forensic experts in solving a crime.
By taking specimens like blood, semen, skin, hair or saliva found in a crime scene, the experts may determine who are the involved persons are.
This process is also called as DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting.
It was first discovered by the British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984, and was first used in 1988 in convicting Colin pitchfork in the Enderby murder case.