Broccan Ware
11/28/2010
Period 5
The Role of DNA
DNA is an important part of our body that is vital to our survival. DNA, also called
Deoxyribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid that has genetic instructions used in the functions and
developments in almost every living organism except for viruses. The main role of DNA
(molecules) is the long-term storage of information. DNA is used like blueprints because it
contains the instructions which are very much needed to make other cells like proteins and RNA
molecules. The segments of DNA that carry the genetic information called genes have
“Structural purposes.”
DNA consists of two long polymers called nucleotides with “backbones” made of sugars
and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. Attached to each sugar is one out of four
molecules called bases. The sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes
information and this information is read by using the genetic code which specifies the sequence
of the amino acids within proteins. The genetic code is read by copying the stretches of DNA
into their related nucleic acid called RNA. This process is called transcription. DNA transfers
genetic messages to all of the cells in your body. The coding for proteins is also important.
DNA holds the code for proteins, which are complex molecules that so huge amounts of work
around our body. After information that is “read” and then transcribed into a messenger
molecule; is translated into a language that the body can understand. Amino acids, which
produce a certain protein, can produce an enormous variety of proteins.
DNA is a long polymer made from repeating units called nucleotides. The structure of DNA of all
species consists of two helical chains each coiled around the same axis. In living organisms, DNA
does not usually exist as a single molecule; instead it exists as pair molecules that are held very
tightly together. The nucleotide repeats contain both the segment of the backbone of the
molecule, which holds the chain together, and a base that interacts with the other DNA strand
in the helix.
In the first paragraph I explained that DNA is a nucleic acid that has genetic instructions used in
the functions and developments in almost every living organism except for viruses; but why is
DNA used in almost every living organism except for viruses? This is because viruses are not
considered to be organisms. They are incapable of “independent or autonomous reproduction
or metabolism. Some cellular organisms are also incapable of independent survival but not of
independent metabolism and procreation. Although viruses have some enzymes and molecules
characteristics of living organisms, they do not have any metabolism of their own and cannot
synthesize and organize the organic compounds that form them. While viruses sustain no
independent metabolism, they do not have their own genes and this is why DNA is used in the
functions and developments in almost every living organism except for viruses