Question

What is the importance of DNA copying in reproduction?

Answer 1

Hint: This process allows organisms to pass genetic information to their offspring. It results in the continuation of life.

Complete Answer:
- Chromosomes in a cell nucleus provide information for the transfer of DNA molecules from parents to the next generation.
- DNA in the nucleus of cells is the source of information for producing proteins. DNA replication is the method of copying a double stranded molecule of DNA to create two identical molecules of DNA.
- Replication is an important process as the two new daughter cells must have the same genetic material, or DNA, as the parent cell, each time a cell divides. If the information is altered it will produce different proteins. Eventually different proteins can induce altered body designs.

- Hence the creation of a DNA copy is a basic process in reproduction. Cells make copies of their DNA using chemical reactions. In a reproducing cell, this will result in two copies of the DNA which then needs to be separated.
- But holding one copy of DNA in the original cell and simply pushing the other out wouldn't work, since the pushed out copy wouldn't have any coordinated cellular structure to keep life processes going.
- Thus, the copying of DNA is followed by the creation of an additional cellular device, and then the different DNA copies, each with its own cellular device, separate. Effectively, two cells are produced by the division of a cell.

During reproduction, the consistency of DNA copying is important for maintaining body design features which enable the organism to use that specific niche.

Note: The replication of DNA is a critical process. The cell proofreads the newly synthesised DNA to ensure errors, or mutations, are not incorporated. Once the DNA is replicated in a cell, the cell can divide into two cells, each possessing an identical copy of the original DNA.