What is Genetics?
Have you ever wondered why
some people are short while others are tall, or why some have brown eyes while
others have black eyes? Genetics is the study of the ways in which different
characteristics are passed from each generations of living things to the next. Genetics
has many divisions like population genetics and epigenetics
What is DNA?
Each of us has a unique set of
chemical blueprints that determine how our body looks and functions. These
blueprints are contained in our DNA, which is the short form of
deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA is in the form of long spiral-shaped molecules found
inside every cell. The instructions for constructing and maintaining cells are
built into this molecule. DNA can copy itself so that all the new cells
produced by a plant or animal, contain copies of the same set of genetic
instructions, or genetic code. Every single living organism processes DNA. In
fact, DNA defines something as being alive and therein lies importance.
Why is the structure of the DNA unique?
Our bodies have hundreds of different types of
cells. Each cell does a different job to help our body to function. There
are blood cells, bone cells and cells that make our muscles. Cells get their
instructions on what to do from DNA, which acts like a computer program.
DNA is a long thin made up of something called
nucleotides. Holding the nucleotides together is a backbone of nucleotides that
are sometimes reffered to as 'bases'.
The structure of DNA is in the form of two long
intertwined strands known as the double helix, and the bases link these two
strands together.
Why are chromosomes significant?
Your body is made up of billions of cells, which are two
small to see without a strong microscope. Inside most of those cells are
chromosomes, which are thread like strands that contain hundreds of genes that
determine your physical traits.
Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, and you received
half your chromosomes from your mother, and the other half from your father.
Even if you are born, your 46 chromosomes continue to guide the way of your
body grows and develops. The number of chromosomes is not related to the
intelligence of complexity of the creature. Peas only have 12 chromosomes,
while a dog has 78, and there is a species of crayfish with 200 chromosomes.
There are even organisms of the same species with different number of
chromosomes.
What is a gene?
The word gene is derived from the Greek word
'genesis' meaning 'origin'. Inside every cell of each living thing are sets of
instructions called genes. The genes provide the instructions on what the plant
or animals is, what it looks like, how it is to survive, and how it will
interact with its surrounding environment. Genes are strung together in long
strands of material called DNA. Many of the genes have a quality known as
dominant or recessive. Traits are things like eye colour, straight or curly
hair, shape of features, and other things like skills and abilities. Dominant
traits are more common than recessive traits.
To sum up, each gene has the instructions on how to make
special proteins which control how that cell grow and works.
What is RNA?
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It is a copy of the
DNA made by using a different type of nucleic acid called ribonucleic
acid.
It is a very long, complicated molecule made out of amino
acids that are linked together. RNA molecules are shaped like a spiral and are
made out of mainly these four molecules stuck together. RNA molecules are
involved in protein synthesis, and sometimes, in the transmission of genetic
information. There are several different types of RNA including messenger RNA
or mRNA and transfer RNA or tRNA. In living organisms, RNA is a single stranded
molecule, unlike DNA, which is double-stranded.
One major difference of RNA from DNA is the presence of
the nucleotide named uracil instead of thymine.
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