DNA

What is DNA?

DNA is a special kind of molecule that carries instructions for how all living things grow, develop, and work. It looks like a twisted ladder, called a double helix, and is made of smaller parts called nucleotides. These nucleotides contain important chemicals called bases. There are four types of bases: cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine. The order of these bases acts like a code that tells cells how to build and maintain an organism.

DNA is found in almost every cell of a living thing. In animals, plants, fungi, and other complex life forms, DNA is stored inside a part of the cell called the nucleus. Even tiny living things like bacteria have DNA, but they keep theirs in a different part of the cell.

Why is DNA Important?

DNA works together with another molecule called RNA. RNA helps turn the instructions in DNA into proteins, which are tiny machines that do most of the work in cells. Without DNA, life as we know it wouldn’t exist, because it provides the essential blueprint for building and running every living organism.

DNA is a long molecule made from smaller parts called nucleotides. It often twists into a shape like a spiral staircase, called a double helix. The two strands of this helix stick together with special bonds, forming pairs of matching parts.

DNA carries important instructions for building and running living things. Its structure helps it store and share these instructions accurately. The strands can separate and come back together, which is key for cells to copy and use the instructions inside them.

Fun Facts About DNA

• DNA is found in almost every cell of your body. It helps make you unique!
• The instructions in DNA are stored in pieces called genes.
• When a cell needs to use a gene, it makes a copy of the instructions into a molecule called RNA.
• DNA also makes copies of itself when cells divide, so each new cell gets the same instructions.