Structure of DNA
The "Thread of Life", is deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA. This molecule which is the bases of life, is spiral shaped and found in the nucleus of cells. DNA has the genetic code for bodies, controls development of embryo's, and is able to repair damage caused to itself. All DNA molecules have linked units called nucleotides. These nucleotides have sub-units that have 5 carbon sugars that are called deoxyribose. DNA is composed of four bases called adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. These are some of the main principles of DNA. What we know today about structure of DNA begins in 1868 when a Swiss biologist Friedrich Miescher did the first experiments on the nuclei of cells. Miescher used the nuclei of pus cells from old medical bandages. In these pus cells he found What We know today about structure of DNA begins in 1868 when a Swiss biologist Friedrich Miescher did the first experiments on the nuclei of cells. Miescher used the nuclei of pus cells from old medical bandages. In these pus cells he found phosphorus with a substance he called nuclein. This nuclein has an acidic portion which is classified as DNA. Another scientist Thomas Hunt Morgan made an important discovery around 1900. He observed
Today we have a strong knowledge of DNA and scientists are applying that knowledge to a three billion dollar project called the human genome project. This project will examine the structure of human DNA and map out every single gene in the human body and will take 15 years. The strong knowledge that we have of DNA allows the scientist to map out the genes at about 1 to 2 per day. This may not seem to be a very fast rate but scientists have already found the genes that cause diseases such as Hunnington's, Lou Gerhig's, and the "Bubble-Boy" disease. Another way that we use our strong knowledge of DNA is in criminal identification. This plays a major role in today's society. Because each person's DNA is different (except in identical twins) police officers can take blood or semen samples from a crime scene and take them to the lab for identification. This can insure the guilt or innocence of a suspect. An example of this is the O.J. Simpson case where investigators tried to match O.J.'s DNA to the DNA at the scene of the crime. Another way scientists apply their knowledge of DNA today is by using special enzymes called restriction enzymes that cut through the phosphate of DNA and these cut ends are called "sticky ends" because they easily attract other tails from other DNA. Scientist use these restriction enzymes for genetic engineering by removing a gene from one organism to another. DNA technology is one of the leading sciences going into the 21st century. Because it could potentially cure or eliminate such diseases or deformities as AIDS or down syndrome it c
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Approximate Word count = 1059
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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