Understanding DNA The Code of Who We Are

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living organisms from humans and animals to plants and bacteria. You inherit it from your parents, and it provides your body with the blueprint it needs to grow, function, and reproduce.

What Is DNA?

DNA is found in almost every cell in your body. It's the instruction manual that tells your cells how to build and maintain your body. These instructions are stored in segments called genes, which are passed down from parents to offspring.

When your cells divide, DNA makes a copy of itself so the new cells can function properly. This process is key to everything from wound healing to child development.

What Does DNA Look Like?

DNA has a unique shape known as a double helix think of it like a twisted ladder. Each side of the ladder is made of sugar and phosphate molecules. The rungs of the ladder are made of four chemical bases that pair up:

• Adenine (A)

• Thymine (T)

• Guanine (G)

• Cytosine (C)

These base pairs always match up the same way: A with T and G with C.

The order of these bases is what makes each person’s DNA unique—and what determines traits like eye color, hair texture, and even your risk for certain diseases.

Where Is DNA Found?

Most of your DNA lives in the nucleus of your cells, bundled into structures called chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes one set from each parent.

A small amount of DNA is also found in the mitochondria (the energy producers of cells), called mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited solely from your mother.

Genes, Genomes, and Protein Production

The complete set of DNA in your body is called your genome. Inside your genome are about 19,900 genes, each one acting like a recipe for making a specific protein.

Proteins play essential roles in your body, including:

• Enzymes that spark chemical reactions

• Hormones that regulate body functions

• Antibodies that fight infection

• Structural proteins that build muscles, skin, and organs

This process—DNA ➝ RNA ➝ protein—is the foundation of how your body works.

What Happens When DNA Gets Damaged?

Sometimes, DNA doesn't copy itself correctly. These changes, called mutations, can cause:

• Harmless genetic variations

• Health problems like genetic disorders

• Increased risk of cancer if the mutation affects how cells grow or repair themselves

Some mutations are inherited, while others happen randomly or from environmental exposures like UV radiation or smoking.

Key Takeaways

• DNA is the genetic material that makes you who you are

• It's organized into genes, which code for proteins that perform vital functions

• Your genome is the full set of your DNA unique to you

• Mutations in DNA can lead to disease but also drive genetic diversity

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