DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule found in the nucleus of the cells of living
organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. It serves as the hereditary
material, carrying the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning,
growth, and reproduction of all known organisms. DNA is often described as the "molecule
of life" because it contains the genes that determines an organism's traits and
characteristics.

DNA was first discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick

in 1953, who proposed the famous double helix structure of
DNA. A single cell can contain from 6 to 9 feet of DNA.
DNA is located within the cell nucleus in eukaryotic
cells (cells with a nucleus), where it forms structure
called chromosomes In essence, DNA is a long,
double-stranded molecule composed of repeating
units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of
three components: a phosphate group, a deoxyribose
sugar molecule, and one of four nucleotide bases:
adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), or cytosine (C).
The sequence of these nitrogenous bases along the
DNA strand encodes the genetic information.

DNA has a double helix structure, which resembles a twisted ladder or spiral staircase.
The helix consists of two polynucleotide strands that wrap around each other.
The strands run antiparallel to each other, meaning they run in opposite directions.
The backbone of the helix is formed by the sugar-phosphate chains, while the
nitrogenous bases project inward, forming the steps of the ladder.

chromosomes are made up of proteins and DNA organized

into genes.

The sequence of nucleotides along the DNA strand encodes

genetic information. This information is read by cellular
machinery to produce proteins, which are essential for the
structure and function of cells.
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DNA is passed from one generation to the next during reproduction. Offspring
inherit a combination of DNA from their parents, leading to genetic variation
within populations.
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DNA