What is the function of DNA?

Answer 1

While most other answers are correct, they're ambiguous at best. DNA does determine your appearance and other characteristics, but that is just a byproduct of what DNA does.

The primary function of DNA in most organisms is protein synthesis. DNA holds the "blueprint" for every protein necessary to sustain life. The combination of a certain gene's base pairs is transcribed into messenger RNA (or mRNA). That mRNA is then carried to the ribosome where, with the help of transfer RNA (or tRNA) amino acids are assembled in a particular order to form proteins. And proteins are essential in just about every step of the life functions of an organism.

It's these proteins that make your eyes blue, your hair brown or give you no hair at all. In fact, all genetic traits are expressed through proteins created using the DNA blueprint.

Answer 2

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the biological development of a cellular form of life or a virus. All known cellular life and some viruses have DNAs. DNA is a long polymer of nucleotides (a polynucleotide) that encodes the sequence of amino acid residues in proteins, using the genetic code.
DNA is responsible for the genetic propagation of most inherited traits. In humans, these traits range from hair color to disease susceptibility. The genetic information encoded by an organism's DNA is called its genome. During cell division, DNA is replicated, and during reproduction is transmitted to offspring.

Answer 3

Basically, it's the blueprint for an organism. DNA holds all the information an organism needs to grow, function, produce chemicals, what it looks like, and also basic behavior.

Answer 4

Main Entry: DNA
Pronunciation: "dE-"en-'A
Function: noun
Etymology: deoxyribonucleic acid
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei -- compare RECOMBINANT DNA
[DNA illustration]

Answer 5

the function of dna is that it tells about you how you are going to look, your hair color, your hieght etc.. its the codes of genes which are transfered to you by your parents and tell how you are going to look.

Answer 6

ive looked at all ur answers and there all so long so here it is in short dna is in our genes and our genes and liek little programs that tell our brain our hair colour etc. ive herd that DNA can be altered to cure diseses :).