DNAorganismen

DNAorganismen are organisms whose genetic material is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This includes the three domains of cellular life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota—and contrasts with RNA-based genomes found in some viruses. In DNAorganismen, DNA encodes genes and regulatory information, is replicated with high fidelity, and serves as the template for transcription into RNA and translation into proteins.

Genome organization among DNAorganismen is diverse. Bacteria and many archaea typically have a single circular chromosome, sometimes accompanied by plasmids. Most eukaryotes carry linear chromosomes within a nucleus, along with organellar genomes in mitochondria and, in plants and algae, chloroplasts. Much DNA is noncoding and contains regulatory elements that influence when and where genes are expressed.

The central dogma describes the flow of genetic information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into proteins. DNA replication uses polymerases and proofreading mechanisms to maintain genome integrity across generations. Gene expression is regulated by promoters, enhancers, and epigenetic marks, enabling cells to differentiate and respond to environments.

Evolution and biodiversity among DNAorganismen arise through mutation, recombination, and, in many lineages, horizontal gene transfer. Genome size and content vary widely, from compact prokaryotic genomes to complex eukaryotic genomes with many noncoding regions.

DNAorganismen are central to biology and biotechnology. They serve as model systems in research, production hosts in industry, and subjects of genetic engineering, where tools like DNA editing and sequencing enable insights into life, disease, and ecology.