Deoksüribonükleik

Deoksüribonükleik, more commonly known as deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA consists of two long strands that twist around each other to form a double helix. Each strand is composed of a sequence of nucleotide bases. There are four types of nucleotide bases in DNA: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These bases pair up in a specific way: A always pairs with T, and G always pairs with C. This complementary base pairing is crucial for DNA replication and information transfer.

The sequence of these bases along the DNA molecule forms the genetic code, which determines the order of amino acids in proteins. Proteins are essential for a wide range of functions within cells, acting as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules. DNA is found primarily in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, organized into structures called chromosomes. In prokaryotic cells, which lack a nucleus, DNA is typically located in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid. The ability of DNA to accurately replicate itself ensures that genetic information is passed from one generation to the next. DNA's stability and its capacity to store vast amounts of information make it the fundamental molecule of heredity.