deoxyribonukleová

Deoxyribonukleová, 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. It is a long polymer composed of repeating units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These nucleotides link together to form a double helix structure, resembling a twisted ladder. The sides of the ladder are formed by alternating sugar and phosphate groups, while the rungs are made up of pairs of nitrogenous bases. Adenine always pairs with thymine, and guanine always pairs with cytosine, through hydrogen bonds. This specific base pairing is crucial for DNA's ability to replicate and to store genetic information. The sequence of these bases along the DNA molecule encodes the genetic code, which dictates the production of proteins and other molecules essential for life. DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. It is passed down from parents to offspring, ensuring the inheritance of traits.