Desoxyribonukleinsäure

Desoxyribonukleinsäure, 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 double helix structure composed of two polynucleotide chains. Each chain consists of a sequence of nucleotides, which are made up of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). The bases on one strand pair with specific bases on the other strand, A with T and G with C, forming hydrogen bonds that hold the two strands together.

The sequence of these bases along the DNA molecule encodes genetic information. This information is organized into genes, which are segments of DNA that typically code for proteins. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within cells and are essential for life. DNA's ability to replicate itself is crucial for cell division and inheritance. During replication, the double helix unwinds, and each strand serves as a template for the synthesis of a new complementary strand. This process ensures that genetic information is accurately passed from one generation of cells or organisms to the next. DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. Its stability and precise structure make it an ideal molecule for storing and transmitting biological information.