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DNA : Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNA subunits consist of nucleotides. There are three parts: phosphate group, five carbon sugar, and nitrogenous bases. There are four kinds of nitrogenous bases including adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.
James Watson and Francis Crick are credited for determining the structrue of deoxyribonuclric acid which is a double helix.
Double Helix-looks somewhat similar to a "twisted ladder"
-backbone is formed by sugars and phosphates
-nitrogenous bases form the rungs of the DNA ladder
-hydrogen bonds hold nucleotide chains at the bases
-nitrogenous bases have complementary base pair
Complementary Base Pairing:
-Adenine = Thymine
-Cytosine = Guanine
The main role of DNA in a cell is the long-term storage of information. DNA replicates itself before dividing, and provides directions for the sequence of amino acids formed to make proteins.
DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development/function of all biotic organisms.
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