• DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, carries the genetic information of a cell. The arrangement of the four nucleotides that make up DNA is the code which dictates protein synthesis in all living things.Elmhurst College Virtual Chembook: Nucleotides The nucleotides are arranged lengthwise along the DNA strand, which is paired with a second strand in an arrangement known as a double helix. The structure of DNA was identified by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953.NovelPrize.org: The Discovery of the Molecular Structure of DNA — The Double Helix They were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 for their work.NobelPrize.org: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine — 1962

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Deoxyribonucleic acid
  2. Nucleotides that make up DNA: Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine, Guanine
  3. Synthesis of DNA requires the enzyme DNA polymeraseAccess Excellence: Polymerase Chain Reaction — Xeroxing DNA
  4. Some viruses also contain DNAMicrobiologyBytes: DNA Viruses (January 21, 2008)
  5. In most Eukaryotic organisms (animals, plants and fungi), DNA is found in the cell nucleus
  6. Prokaryotic (bacteria) DNA is contained in the cytoplasm

• Genetics

  A section of DNA that influences a particular characteristic in an organism is known as a gene.Kids Health: What Is A Gene? The strands of DNA and the genes they contain are the mechanism by which inheritable traits, such as hair and eye color, are passed from one generation to the next.

• Forensics

  An individual's DNA sequence is unique. Unless a person has an identical twin, the arrangement of nucleotides is different for each person. Consequently, DNA can be used to match cells left at a crime scene with a specific person. Forensic DNA technology is still evolving, but is being used to help solve both current cases and unresolved cold cases.KariSable.com: DNA And Forensic Science Criminal Investigations DNA Evidence has also been used to prove that previously convicted individuals were actually innocent of the crime they were convicted for.MSNBC: DNA Tests Clear Georgia Inmate of Rape Charges (December 8, 2005)

• Medical Concerns

  With the ability to identify specific genetic traits from DNA analysis comes the potential to examine an individual's DNA for markers that indicate a susceptibility to certain inherited diseases. In 2007, 23andMe began a service allowing people to check their own DNA history and susceptibility to illness and disease in exchange for $999.redOrbit: Start-Up Enables Users to Examine Their Own DNA (November 20, 2007)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Genetics | DNA Evidence | Beringia | 23andMe | Biochemistry | How to Become a Forensic Scientist | How to Get a Free Paternity Test

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