Question

What is the importance of DNA?

Answer 1

Hint: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule made up of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix that contains genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and viruses. Nucleic acids include DNA and ribonucleic acid.

Complete answer:
An individual's body design is determined by DNA. The DNA that is passed down from parents to offspring causes them to resemble each other. DNA replication is required for reproduction. During replication, additional copies of DNA are created, which are required for the formation of new cells following cell division. Furthermore, minor changes during DNA replication are responsible for causing variations in the long run.

The replication of DNA during cell division is referred to as DNA copying. It is critical to transfer the parent(s)' genes to the next species of the same kind. This factor determines the continuation of species existence. This process is particularly important in organisms that reproduce asexually. There is only one parent in such organisms, and there is no other source variation in the DNA of the progeny from the parent.

For example, suppose a species can survive in suitable water at a certain temperature. However, due to climatic changes, the water temperature would change, causing the species to die and become extinct. However, this does not occur in nature because there is always some variation in DNA replication and some similar and identical species.

Because of this minor variation in their DNA, some individuals of this species of bacteria will be able to survive in warmer water, ensuring the species' survival. Variations incorporated in DNA during replication are significant in this way.

Note: When organisms reproduce sexually, they inherit half of their nuclear DNA from the male parent and half from the female parent. Organisms, on the other hand, inherit all of their mitochondrial DNA from the female parent. This is because only egg cells, not sperm cells, retain their mitochondria during fertilization.