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Deoxyribonucleic Acid, Or Dna Is A Genetic Code That Determines

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Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA is a genetic code that determines the characteristics of a living organism. DNA is a large molecule shaped as a double helix, or twisted ladder. It is made of repeating units called nucleotides. Unlike RNA, DNA does not have uracil, but does have thymine, and the other bases (adenine, cytosine, and guanine). DNA is very important for when it comes to transferring hereditary information. Hereditary material, or “information” is from the parents of the offspring. It is information passed down from generation to generation and makes the human race unique. Without unique DNA, the human race could become extinct in an instant.
The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was discovered by mainly by …show more content…

DNA is used to determine paternity and solve crimes by using the latest DNA technology. DNA fingerprinting is a test used to identify and evaluate the DNA in a person’s cells. Because every human has a unique fingerprint, it is easy to tell who was at a crime scene when remnants of cells are left. DNA testing can confirm paternity by looking at pedigrees, or taking blood samples. With the DNA technology that is available today, police are able to narrow down suspects in a crime scene. Scientists are now able to discover biological family members that are missing and help with problems like inheritance and child custody. It also helps with adoptions and child support. New DNA technology is now even able to find the probability of having a child with a biological disease.
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence code that can result in a genetic malfunction. Mutations can affect a single base pair, or a large segment of multiple genes. Gene mutations can be classified into two major groups; hereditary and acquired. Hereditary mutations are inherited from a parent and are throughout a person’s life, like downs syndrome and sickle cell anemia. Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is caused by an extra copy of a genetic material on the 21st chromosome. This causes the child to have upwardly slanted eyes, flat

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