2006-06-20 23:10:36 · 10 answers · asked by MNDIMBA'S 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid —usually in the form of a double helix— that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological development of all cellular forms of life, and many viruses. DNA is a long polymer of nucleotides (a polynucleotide) and encodes the sequence of the amino acid residues in proteins using the genetic code, a triplet code of nucleotides. DNA is thought to date back to between approximately 3.5 to 4.6 billion years ago [1].
In complex eukaryotic cells such as those from plants, animals, fungi and protists, most of the DNA is located in the cell nucleus. By contrast, in simpler cells called prokaryotes, including the eubacteria and archaea, DNA is not separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear envelope. The cellular organelles known as chloroplasts and mitochondria also carry DNA.
DNA is often referred to as the molecule of heredity as it is responsible for the genetic propagation of most inherited traits. In humans, these traits can range from hair color to disease susceptibility. During cell division, DNA is replicated and can be transmitted to offspring during reproduction. Lineage studies can be done based on the facts that the mitochondrial DNA only comes from the mother, and the male Y chromosome only comes from the father.
Every person's DNA, their genome, is inherited from both parents. The mother's mitochondrial DNA together with twenty-three chromosomes from each parent combine to form the genome of a zygote, the fertilized egg. As a result, with certain exceptions such as red blood cells, most human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, together with mitochondrial DNA inherited from the mother.
2006-06-20 23:15:15 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DNA stands for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.
2006-06-21 06:52:12 · answer #2 · answered by cowsformeatandmilk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DeoxyriboNucleic Acid.
This is a double helical structure. It contains codes which signal for specific traits. Traits are what are passed down from one generation to the next. For example, blue eyes versus brown eyes. The traits are coded by genes.
2006-06-21 07:20:19 · answer #3 · answered by curiousgeorge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DNA is Di-Oxyribo Neuclic Acid. It is like a finger print of where you are coming from. It decides your genes.
2006-06-21 06:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by Pinky Patel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deoxyribonucleic Acid, it is the blueprint for cellular, carbon based life. Enjoy.
2006-06-21 06:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by modeep79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
deoxy ribo nucleic acid.
its all one word ie
deoxyribonucleic acid
2006-06-21 07:07:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
D - eoxyribo N - ucleic A - cid
2006-06-21 06:12:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
deoxyribonucleic acid
2006-06-21 19:18:34 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have got the answer
2006-06-26 06:34:05 · answer #9 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deoxiribonuclicacid................... Didin't you learn that in school???
2006-06-21 10:03:14 · answer #10 · answered by Poptart_fingers~!~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋