villekPL Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information. Chemically, DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-parallel. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA, in a process called transcription. Within cells, DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes. These chromosomes are duplicated before cells divide, in a process called DNA replication. Eukaryotic organisms (animals, plants, and fungi) store their DNA inside the cell nucleus, while in prokaryotes (bacteria and archae) it is found in the cell's cytoplasm. Within the chromosomes, chromatin proteins such as histones compact and organize DNA. These compact structures guide the interactions between DNA and other proteins, helping control which parts of the DNA are transcribed. any smart input? c&c ? thanks for reading. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphistolas Report post Posted July 13, 2008 (edited) I already studied genetics in biology. Not at this level exactly, but I knew about 60% of what that post said instantly. DNA is fascinating. You should also look into reproduction, both sexual and asexual, it's also interesting edit: but you're probably at university or something so.... Edited July 13, 2008 by Aphistolas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar(c) Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Copy&paste from wikipedia ftw? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizzy Report post Posted July 14, 2008 DNA, and its "un-coding" is most likey just the first step and clue to something else....dam science and its never ending questions....................................................................... ............... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar(c) Report post Posted July 14, 2008 Copy&paste from wikipedia ftw? Let me make even more words filthy to this post; It's a straight copy of the intro of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA, with a direct link to the wikimedia image base; this is against wikipedia and wikimedia licenses. If this was even a serious post; it's in the wrong section. Please delete this thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atlantis Report post Posted July 16, 2008 i think its an interesting post it doesn't matter if wikipedia says similar things Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shujral Report post Posted July 17, 2008 'similar' is an understatement but yes, interesting post/information/article/whateverthefuckyouwanttocallit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
