Table of Contents
What is a DNA in a cell?
Deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, is a complex molecule that contains all of the information necessary to build and maintain an organism. All living things have DNA within their cells. In fact, nearly every cell in a multicellular organism possesses the full set of DNA required for that organism.
What is the function of genetic material in a cell?
DNA serves two important cellular functions: It is the genetic material passed from parent to offspring and it serves as the information to direct and regulate the construction of the proteins necessary for the cell to perform all of its functions.
Where do cells get their instructions?
The set of plans and operating instructions in higher cells (eucaryotes) are located in a special enclosed area inside the cell called the nucleus. The plans and instructions are for a particular cell. When this cell divides the plans and operating instructions are copied. The material in the nucleus is mainly DNA.
How do cells become differentiated?
When cells express specific genes that characterise a certain type of cell we say that a cell has become differentiated. Once a cell becomes differentiated it only expresses the genes that produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell.
How cells are formed?
Two cells are formed from one cell through the process of cell division. In cell division, the DNA within a cell is replicated. The two copies of the DNA are then separated into two different cell nuclei. The cell then splits into two pieces, each piece containing its own set of DNA.
How is DNA formed?
DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These building blocks are made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar group and one of four types of nitrogen bases. To form a strand of DNA, nucleotides are linked into chains, with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating.
How is the DNA structure formed?
DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Nucleotides are attached together to form two long strands that spiral to create a structure called a double helix. If you think of the double-helix structure as a ladder, the phosphate and sugar molecules would be the sides, while the base pairs would be the rungs.