DNAkaksoiskierrettä

DNAkaksoiskierrettä is the Finnish term for the DNA double helix. It refers to the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, which is essential for the transmission of genetic information within living organisms. This iconic structure was first elucidated by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, building upon the work of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins.

The DNA double helix consists of two long strands of nucleotides that wind around each other. Each nucleotide is composed of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. There are four types of nitrogenous bases in DNA: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). The bases on one strand pair with specific bases on the other strand through hydrogen bonds. Adenine always pairs with thymine (A-T), and guanine always pairs with cytosine (G-C). This complementary base pairing is a fundamental principle of DNA structure and function, enabling accurate replication and transcription of genetic information. The two strands run in opposite directions, a characteristic known as antiparallel orientation. The helical shape arises from the way these strands are arranged and coiled. The DNA double helix is the blueprint of life, carrying the instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses.