DNA
the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes: deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a complex molecule that contains the genetic information coded in the form of nucleotide sequences, and is the basis for the inheritance of traits in most living organisms. It is composed of four types of nucleotides that are connected by covalent bonds; each nucleotide contains a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, or cytosine). The nucleotides pair up with each other in two complimentary strands that twist around each other to form a double helix structure.
DNA has the ability to replicate itself, which is crucial for genetic inheritance and for the production of new cells in an organism. The process of DNA replication involves the separation of the two strands, and the building of new complementary strands based on the nucleotide pairing rules (A with T, G with C). This process allows for the genetic information to be passed on from parent to offspring with high fidelity.
DNA also carries the instructions necessary for protein synthesis, which are translated from the nucleotide sequence through a process called transcription. Transcription results in the formation of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which can then be translated into protein by the ribosomes within the cell. This process is known as translation.
Overall, DNA is a key molecule in biology, crucial for genetic inheritance, protein synthesis, and the functioning of living organisms.
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