Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are really important when we try to understand genetic disorders and how diseases work. Let’s break down their roles:
Genetic Information: DNA is like a recipe book for living things. It holds all the instructions needed to build and operate our bodies. Sometimes, mistakes in these instructions (called mutations) can cause inherited diseases, like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.
Gene Expression: RNA helps turn the instructions from DNA into proteins, which do many jobs in our bodies. If there are mistakes when copying these instructions, it can create faulty proteins. This can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s, where the proteins don’t fold the right way because of issues with the RNA.
Regulation: Some types of RNA, called non-coding RNAs (like microRNAs), help control how genes are expressed, or turned on and off. If this control goes wrong, it can lead to cancers. This happens when genes that should help fight tumors or those that promote cancer are not managed properly.
In summary, nucleic acids play a significant role in how our cells work, affecting our health and diseases. By understanding these details, we can find better ways to treat different genetic disorders.
Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are really important when we try to understand genetic disorders and how diseases work. Let’s break down their roles:
Genetic Information: DNA is like a recipe book for living things. It holds all the instructions needed to build and operate our bodies. Sometimes, mistakes in these instructions (called mutations) can cause inherited diseases, like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.
Gene Expression: RNA helps turn the instructions from DNA into proteins, which do many jobs in our bodies. If there are mistakes when copying these instructions, it can create faulty proteins. This can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s, where the proteins don’t fold the right way because of issues with the RNA.
Regulation: Some types of RNA, called non-coding RNAs (like microRNAs), help control how genes are expressed, or turned on and off. If this control goes wrong, it can lead to cancers. This happens when genes that should help fight tumors or those that promote cancer are not managed properly.
In summary, nucleic acids play a significant role in how our cells work, affecting our health and diseases. By understanding these details, we can find better ways to treat different genetic disorders.