DNA Basics

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What is DNA?

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is made up of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix.

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What are nucleotides?

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Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA. Each nucleotide consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

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What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA?

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The four nitrogenous bases in DNA are Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).

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What is the base pairing rule in DNA?

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In DNA, Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T) and Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C-G).

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Who discovered the structure of DNA?

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James Watson and Francis Crick are credited with discovering the double helix structure of DNA.

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What is the function of helicase in DNA replication?

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Helicase is an enzyme that unwinds and separates the two strands of the DNA double helix during replication.

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What is an inherited trait?

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An inherited trait is a characteristic or feature that is passed down from parents to their offspring through genes.

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What is the role of DNA polymerase?

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DNA polymerase is an enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a growing chain during DNA replication.

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What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

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DNA is double-stranded and contains the sugar deoxyribose, while RNA is single-stranded and contains the sugar ribose.

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What is a gene?

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A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or set of proteins.