DesoxyribonukleinsäureProben

Desoxyribonucleic acid, commonly known as DNA, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. DNA consists of two long chains of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. Each nucleotide is composed 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 encodes genetic information. Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine, forming the rungs of the DNA ladder. This specific pairing is crucial for DNA replication and transcription, processes that allow genetic information to be passed from one generation to the next. DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. It is organized into structures called chromosomes, which are further packaged with proteins. The study of DNA, known as molecular biology, has revolutionized our understanding of life and has led to advancements in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and forensics.