DNA for Kids

DNA contains all of the instructions for a living thing's structure and behaviour. Human DNA, for example, affects things like the eyes' colour and the lungs' function. Different sections of the DNA carry each bit of information. These pieces are referred to as genes.

DNA

What does DNA Represent?

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid.

DNA Full Form

What is DNA composed of?

DNA is made up of long, thin molecules known as nucleotides. Adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine are the four types of nucleotides. Their first letter is typically used to represent them:

Adenine - A

Thymine - T

Cytosine - C

Guanine - G

A phosphate and deoxyribose backbone connects the nucleotides together. Sometimes, the nucleotides are referred to as "bases."

DNA Structure Diagram

Various Cell Types in the Body

There are over 210 different cell kinds in our bodies. Every cell contributes in another way to the operation of our body. For example, blood, bone, and muscle-building cells exist.

Types of Cells

How do Cells Decide Things?

DNA provides instructions to cells on what to do. Sort of like a computer program, DNA functions. DNA is the software or code, and the cell is the computer or the hardware.

The Genetic Code

The many letters of the nucleotides store the DNA code. The letters on the DNA that make the instructions are "read" by the cell. For example, a word called a codon is made up of three letters. The following is an example of a codon string:

                                              ATC TGA GGA AAT GAC CAG

 Genetic Code

Genes

Genes are collections of instructions found within each DNA strand. A gene instructs a cell on how to produce a certain protein. The cell uses proteins to carry out certain tasks, grow, and live.

Genes

Functions of DNA

The proper functioning of DNA molecules contributes to the body's continued health. DNA aids in the production of proteins, which are essential for cell survival. DNA also enables the procreation of living beings. Biological characteristics are passed down from parents to offspring through DNA genes. Sometimes DNA contains errors. The term "mutations" refers to these errors. They can bring up illnesses and other issues.

DNA Molecules

Structure of DNA

DNA has a specific form, despite seeming to be very thin, lengthy strings under a microscope. It is known as a double helix. The backbone that binds the DNA together is outside the double helix. There are two sets of intertwined backbones. The nucleotides indicated by the letters A, T, C, and G are located between the backbones. Each backbone is connected by a separate nucleotide, which binds to another nucleotide in the centre. Nucleotides can only fit together in specific combinations. Therefore, they can be compared to puzzle pieces: G and A are the only connections they have with each other.

Basic DNA Structure

Interesting DNA-Related Facts

• Everyone on the earth shares exactly the same 99.9% of their DNA. However, we are all different in that 0.1 percent of the population.

• James Watson and Francis Crick, two scientists, discovered the double helix structure of DNA in 1953.

• Your body contains enough DNA molecules to extend to the Sun and back multiple times if you were to unravel every single one of them.

• Within the cell, DNA is arranged into things called chromosomes.

• Friedrich Meischer, a Swiss researcher, discovered and isolated DNA for the first time in 1869.

Showing Chromosomes

Summary

All living things are built and maintained according to the genetic code found in DNA, a complicated, long-chained molecule. DNA, which is present in almost all cells, contains the instructions required to make proteins, specific molecules crucial to the body's growth and operation.

Sample Questions

1. What is the complete form of DNA?

Ans: Deoxyribonucleic acid is the full form of DNA.

2. The colour of eyes, hair, and height are all determined by________.

Ans: Genes.

3. Which of the following carries genetic information?

1. Cell wall    b) DNA   C) Golgi complex

Ans: b) DNA