The Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

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Introduction

The study of the structure of DNA is important not only to biologist, but to every inquisitive mind and every person that is interested in knowing how this life we live is recreated. Many researchers have come up with findings which have contributed greatly to the body of knowledge, and to the understanding of the buildup of living organisms. The structure and functioning of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has a vital and important role to play in the transfers of traits from parents to their offsprings and in the subsequent portrayal of these characteristics in the offspring.

The Structure of DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a very large and elongated polymer consisting of sub units referred to as nucleotide monomers. Every single monomer consists of a base which is nitrogenous in nature, a sugar that is made up of basically five carbons, and a collection of phosphates. Deoxyribonucleic acid contains nucleotide bases, when the bases are collectively mixed, they are able to relate in a particular manner in accordance with their chemical composition: adenine interacting with thymine and cytosine interacting with guanine (Judson, 1996, pp.67).

Molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid consist of a couple of strands of nucleotide polymer, which are collectively twisted in to a helix orientation. The hydrogen bond provides the stability for the double helix pattern. This hydrogen bond is located in between the bases, as it is being programmed by their chemical similarity: adenine bonded by the hydrogen bond to thymine and in like manner, cytosine to guanine. This arrangement greatly enhances the strength of the molecule. As a result of this arrangement the subsequent folding and compression of the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule to form chromosomes is made possible.

The Structure and Function of DNA as the Molecule of Inheritance

The basic and most important function or role of the deoxyribonucleic acid in the body of an organism is to act as a store house of all forms of genetic information. The Deoxyribonucleic acid molecule is made up of genes, the function of the gene within the DNA is that of coding information, for instance a particular gene, will be responsible for coding a particular protein that will perform a designed duty in the multifaceted network of cells biochemical metabolism. Every activity that an organism is required to carry out is indicated in the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule: the time for the cell to build up, which cell will be built, and all informations patterning to the life, and death of the organism are all embedded in the DNA.

Another important function performed by the deoxyribonucleic acid, is its ability to act as a medium of transferring information from a particular generation to another. When it is time for the cell to replicate the deoxyribonucleic acid helix divides, and each of the new divisions acts as a guide to make or produce a corresponding strand of the original cell. As a result of this, informations in the parents deoxyribonucleic acid are transferred to the new offspring or cell. There are about forty-six chromosomes in humans; twenty three are inherited from the father and twenty three from the mother.

How DNA Structure Allows it Serve as a Molecule of Inheritance

Deoxyribonucleic acid is a helix of nucleotides which is made up of two strands. Each of the distinct pair of the nucleotide connects to a particular compliment. This arrangement gives way for inheritance because, each of the deoxyribonucleic strands has all that is required for a new strand to be produced. Or to simply put Deoxyribonucleic acid is a very big molecule, made of up of nucleotides. Each of the nucleotide consists of a phosphate collection. This set up documents information with respect to the structure of the subsequent generation that will evolve. This information is then transferred in the gametes, which is the source of inheritance. It is important to see the relevance of having two copies of a gene in ones genome and that these two copies can either be the same or vary slightly. Cecil, (1994,pp.55) stated that the combination of the two copies we inherit determines not only our own life, but also the life of our children.

The Examination of how meiosis allows DNA to be divided into gametes

The separation of cells into two halves is made possible by meiosis. The new cells that are produced from the separation of the parent contain basically half the parent cells chromosomes (Rafael, 2010). The creation of new cells is made possible by the gametes, which must as a matter of necessity contain half of the original DNA strands, and again this must be through meiosis.

Mendelian genetics

Mendels findings are anchored on the observation that each characteristic that an organism posses, has a link with two basic types of genes referred to as alleles. In most cases the genes look similar, but at time they differ. If the two genes dont look alike, they tend to influence the characteristics of the organism differently, these is because the genes have the capability of making donations in different ways, or one of the two might be dominant, overshadowing the other( Judson,1996,pp.25). The gene or allele that has been overshadowed is referred to as a recessive gene. And in a situation where there is dominance of a particular gene then only the characteristic of the dominant allele is noticed. And in this case the organism is referred to as been heterozygous, because there is a difference in the genes. In case of similar genes, the organism is referred to as homozygous. A mixture of two genes in organisms is known as the genotype. The genotype is also a major determinant of the characteristics of an organism. The achievement of Gregor Mendel is based on choosing appropriate traits, which make providence for him to arrive at the inheritance of personality with precisely two traits, with one of the traits overshadowing the other.

Conclusion

The findings on the structure, nature and function of deoxyribonucleic acid have enhanced the understanding of the procedure through which living organism develop. It has thrown light on the mystery of while human beings look and act the way they do. This has been made possible through the understanding of the principle of the transfer of genes and the structure of the DNA. Which is been described as being a very big molecule, made of up of nucleotides and each of the nucleotide consists of a phosphate collection. This set-up it is believed, documents information with respect to the structure of the subsequent generations or the unborn generation.

Reference List

Cecil, R. (1994). The Path to the Double Helix. Mineola, NY: Dover.

Judson, H. (1996). The Eighth Day of Creation. Plainview, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Press.

Rafael, B. (2010). The Structure and Function of DNA as the Molecule of Inheritance. Web.

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