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What does deoxyribonucleic acid mean?
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Apr 8, 2019 · DNA Definition. Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a biological macromolecule that carries hereditary information in many organisms. DNA is necessary for the production of proteins, the regulation, metabolism, and reproduction of the cell.
Apr 30, 2024 · DNA, organic chemical of complex molecular structure found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It codes genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits. The structure of DNA was described in 1953, leading to further understanding of DNA replication and hereditary control of cellular activities.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Shape
- Replication
- Translation
- Mutation
DNA is composed of a sugar-phosphate backbone and nitrogenous bases. In double-stranded DNA, the nitrogenous bases pair up. Adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C). The shape of DNA resembles that of a spiral staircase. In this double helical shape, the sides of the staircase are formed by strands of deoxyribose sugar...
The double helix shape of DNA makes DNA replication possible. In replication, DNA makes a copy of itself in order to pass genetic information on to newly formed daughter cells. In order for replication to take place, the DNA must unwind to allow cell replication machinery to copy each strand. Each replicated molecule is composed of a strand from th...
DNA translation is the process for the synthesis of proteins. Segments of DNA called genes contain genetic sequences or codes for the production of specific proteins. In order for translation to occur, the DNA must first unwind and allow DNA transcription to take place. In transcription, the DNA is copied and an RNA version of the DNA code (RNA tra...
Any change in the sequence of nucleotides in DNA is known as a gene mutation. These changes can affect a single nucleotide pair or larger gene segments of a chromosome. Gene mutations are caused by mutagens such as chemicals or radiation, and can also result from errors made during cell division.
Google Classroom. DNA is the information molecule. It stores instructions for making other large molecules, called proteins. These instructions are stored inside each of your cells, distributed among 46 long structures called chromosomes. These chromosomes are made up of thousands of shorter segments of DNA, called genes.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that encodes an organism's genetic blueprint. In other words, DNA contains all of the information required to build and maintain an...
Apr 24, 2024 · Deoxyribonucleic Acid (biology/genetics definition): A helical double-stranded nucleic acid that is crucial for containing the genetic information for cell growth, division, and function. Abbreviation: DNA. Variant: desoxyribonucleic acid. Synonyms: deoxyribose nucleic acid; desoxyribose nucleic acid.