Deoxýríbónúkleínsýra

Deoxýríbónúkleínsýra, commonly known as DNA, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. It is a long, double-stranded helix composed of nucleotide subunits. Each nucleotide consists of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). The sequence of these bases along the DNA strand forms the genetic code.

The two strands of the DNA helix are held together by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases, with adenine always pairing with thymine (A-T) and guanine always pairing with cytosine (G-C). This base pairing rule is fundamental to DNA replication and transcription. DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. The process of DNA replication ensures that genetic information is accurately passed from one generation of cells to the next. Transcription is the process by which the genetic information encoded in DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), which then serves as a template for protein synthesis. DNA's ability to store and transmit genetic information makes it essential for heredity and the diversity of life.