What is DNA?

If you've ever wondered why you look different from everybody else, even plants or animals, you can thank your DNA, a tiny bundle of molecules inside your cells. In all living things, DNA is unique to each individual and carries the information about how a living thing will look and work. For example, your DNA determines what color you eyes are. This is one piece of information, and each piece of information is carried on a different section of DNA known as a gene. The genes in DNA allow your parents to pass their traits on to you. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, and its structure is made by 2 long strands that form a shape of a spiraled ladder. We call this shape a double helix. On the sides of the ladder, chemicals called phosphates and sugars make up the backbone of the ladder. DNA also has chemicals called bases. A base on one strand is linked to a base on the second strand. Together, the linked bases make up the rungs of the ladder. There are 4 different bases, adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). Usually, we call them by their initials, A, T, C, and G. These bases only pair up with a friend, and they are picky about who they choose. A can only link with T, vice versa, and G can only link with C, vice versa. You can think of it as puzzle pieces, where only A and T fit together, and only G and C fit together. The order in which these bases are arranged are is different for everybody. The order of your bases creates a code to make proteins, which your cells needs to live. As a result, the different kinds of proteins make living things diverse. For instance, you and a squirrel of differing proteins, so that's why you do not look the same. These are the basics of DNA. If anything, remember that DNA carries all the information about how you look and function. DNA keeps your body working correctly, and it makes you, you.

DNA-Double Helix formed by base pairs

Picture Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine