Table of Contents
What are the two main functions of a DNA molecule?
DNA serves two important cellular functions: It is the genetic material passed from parent to offspring and it serves as the information to direct and regulate the construction of the proteins necessary for the cell to perform all of its functions.
What is unique about a DNA molecule?
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a long molecule that contains our unique genetic code. Like a recipe book it holds the instructions for making all the proteins in our bodies. DNA is a two-stranded molecule. DNA has a unique ‘double helix’ shape, like a twisted ladder.
Why is DNA important for life?
DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. To carry out these functions, DNA sequences must be converted into messages that can be used to produce proteins, which are the complex molecules that do most of the work in our bodies.
What chemicals are in DNA?
DNA is composed of four chemicals: cytosine, guanine, thymine and adenine. Our cells are made up of DNA, which is strung together in chromosomes. We have our parents to thank for these chromosomes — 23 pairs from each.
How many chemicals is DNA made of?
DNA, itself is made up of four chemical bases, pairs of which form the “rungs” of the twisted, ladder-shaped DNA molecules . These four molecules are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
What are 3 parts of a DNA molecule?
Each of the two polymers contains many structures which are called nucleotides , which, in turn, are further broken down into three parts: Deoxyribose, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. The three main parts that are in the DNA molecule are nitrogen for base, sugar and phosphate.
What are the four main proteins of DNA?
DNA and Proteins. Each chain is made up of repeating subunits called nucleotides that are held together by chemical bonds. There are four different types of nucleotides in DNA, and they differ from one another by the type of base that is present: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C) .