Why Is DNA Important?

DNA

The molecules that make up DNA are called nucleotides. These molecules are made up of sugar, a nitrogen base, and phosphate. The nitrogen bases are guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine.

DNA is a structure that carries genetic material and is present in nearly all living organisms. A gene is a unit of heredity that is passed from parent to child, it determines some of the characteristics in the child. Genes are made up of DNA that has folded and coiled upon itself. Chromosomes are thread-like structures of protein and nucleic acid that become visible when the cell is preparing to divide. They are supercoiled DNA is made of molecules and carries thousands of genes. The difference between them is that DNA is made of molecules, while genes are are made of folded and coiled DNA, and chromosomes are made of supercoiled DNA.

It contains all of the genetic information for the cell, and so determines the characteristics and function of the cell.

James Watson and Francis Crick attempted to solve the structure of DNA while studying in the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University, though neither of them were experts.

The pair discovered the form of DNA, that is a double helix, and also that the four proteins in the DNA have a partner. This is important because scientists now understand how DNA is able to replicate itself so consistently.

One scientist whose work contributed to the discovery of DNA is Maurice Wilkins. He studied biological molecules like DNA using a variety of different technologies.

Another scientist whose work contributes to the discovery of DNA is Rosalind Franklin. She worked with Raymond Gosling and Wilkins to produce high-resolution photos of crystallized DNA fibres.

These x-ray diffraction images produced led to the deduction of the double helix shape of DNA by Watson and Crick.

Mitosis vs. Meiosis

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