DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is a special molecule. It carries the instructions needed for all living things to grow, develop, function, and reproduce.
In 1953, two scientists named James Watson and Francis Crick discovered that DNA has a cool shape called a double helix. Here are some important things to know about DNA:
Double Helix: DNA looks like a twisted ladder, with two strands wrapping around each other.
Nucleotides: These are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide has three parts:
Base Pairing: The nitrogen bases match up in a specific way. A pairs with T, and C pairs with G. This pairing helps DNA copy itself correctly.
DNA has several important jobs for living things:
Genetic Blueprint: DNA holds the instructions to make proteins. Proteins do many tasks in our cells.
Heredity: DNA is passed down from parents to their children. It carries traits that define a species.
Replication and Repair: DNA can make copies of itself. This is important when cells divide. Sometimes mistakes happen, but about 99% of them are fixed thanks to proofreading systems.
Mutations: Changes in the DNA sequence can create variety. On average, each person has about 60 new mutations not seen in their parents.
Genetic variation is crucial for evolution. It gives natural selection something to work with. Here are some points:
Mutation Rates: The typical mutation rate in human DNA is around 1.2 mutations for every billion DNA base pairs each generation.
Diversity: Having more genetic diversity in a group helps it survive diseases and changes in the environment.
In summary, the structure and function of DNA are essential to life. They affect how traits are passed down and how species evolve over time.
DNA, which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, is a special molecule. It carries the instructions needed for all living things to grow, develop, function, and reproduce.
In 1953, two scientists named James Watson and Francis Crick discovered that DNA has a cool shape called a double helix. Here are some important things to know about DNA:
Double Helix: DNA looks like a twisted ladder, with two strands wrapping around each other.
Nucleotides: These are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide has three parts:
Base Pairing: The nitrogen bases match up in a specific way. A pairs with T, and C pairs with G. This pairing helps DNA copy itself correctly.
DNA has several important jobs for living things:
Genetic Blueprint: DNA holds the instructions to make proteins. Proteins do many tasks in our cells.
Heredity: DNA is passed down from parents to their children. It carries traits that define a species.
Replication and Repair: DNA can make copies of itself. This is important when cells divide. Sometimes mistakes happen, but about 99% of them are fixed thanks to proofreading systems.
Mutations: Changes in the DNA sequence can create variety. On average, each person has about 60 new mutations not seen in their parents.
Genetic variation is crucial for evolution. It gives natural selection something to work with. Here are some points:
Mutation Rates: The typical mutation rate in human DNA is around 1.2 mutations for every billion DNA base pairs each generation.
Diversity: Having more genetic diversity in a group helps it survive diseases and changes in the environment.
In summary, the structure and function of DNA are essential to life. They affect how traits are passed down and how species evolve over time.