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What is DNA?
How does it work?
Have you ever wondered what humans are made of or why people look different? Well, there is a fundamental code for each person that determines their appearances, actions, and even illnesses. While people’ s codes are very similar to each other, the differences are what makes all of us unique. This code to life is known as the DNA.
Basic Intro
DNA, aka deoxyribonucleic acid, is a double stranded code the exist in every cells of humans. They are made of nucleotides which are basic units of DNA that join together to create the whole strand of DNA. These nucleotides are made of three smaller components: a deoxyribose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group. Every person is made of similar but slightly different DNA, that is, different combinations of the smaller units, that result in the different appearance of every person in the world.
Functions
The most common known usage of DNA is that they code for protein production. To understand what this means, think of a Lego model that you’ ve built before, perhaps a truck, an animal, or even a house. DNA is the instruction manual for the Lego pieces that decides which Lego piece to use and what they look like. Proteins are the Lego pieces themselves that make up that house. Together, the DNA instruction manual and the Protein Lego pieces help shape what you look and act like.
Genome
The whole special combination of the DNA of a human is known as their genome. It is a super long strand that is coiled tightly inside the human cells. If you stretch out the human DNA, it can expand to about 2 meters long!
Mechanism
When one of our cells splits into two cells, the DNA is copied to the new cell and works the same. They will continue to function as the instructions or specification of how our bodies should function.
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