DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), organic chemical of complex
molecular structure that is found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and
in many viruses. The nucleotide DNA consists of a deoxyribose sugar molecule to
which is attached a phosphate group and one of four nitrogenous bases
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The study of DNA has developed our knowledge – DNA
is the code for life. DNA encodes for proteins which make up every living
organism – whether it be plant, animal or bacteria. Understanding what parts of
the DNA encode for which proteins is important – by studying DNA we’ve been
able to figure out genes responsible for many things – everything from why some
flowers are certain colors to which parts of our DNA are responsible for hair color
and everything in between. Furthermore by studying DNA, we have been able to
figure out much about evolution and how species evolve – in particular sorting
out how different plants and animals are related to each other.
Understanding how DNA mutates, changes and
replicates is also important, as it can inform us about the underlying
mechanisms that cause DNA to change. Figuring out the variations between people
that occur in our DNA t is also really interesting – finding where the
differences occur in the genome and why DNA varies between people and animals
can lead to understanding why people are different and the environmental
triggers that can lead to changes in our DNA and consequent function of a gene.
And it is has key importance in forensic biology – the sequences of DNA that
vary from person to person is what we target when we want to use DNA to
identify people.
And finally by studying DNA, we have been able to characterize
much about disease. A really well known example of the importance of DNA and
knowing about it, has been the discovery of the BRCA gene mutations that
increase the risk of breast cancer in women. By being able to understand how
DNA replicates, mutates and what the final result of this has really improved
our knowledge about biological organisms. Knowledge about DNA is used in many
areas of biology, so it has a very important role to play in not only just in
understanding the world around us, but also for improving health and conserving
the environment.
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