Deoxyribonucleic acid

I know what you're thinking, what the heck is deoxyribonucleic acid? The thing is, you already know, even if you don't know about yourself knowing what it is =). Because deoxribonucleic acid is actually... DNA! See, you know what it is! But today, I'm going to  explain how it works.

Let's get back to the basics. DNA is composed of two spiral columns made of phosphates and sugar. The bars in between the columns are made of four different chemicals called adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. This shape is called a double-helix Each half of a bar is made up of a different chemical. Adenine and thymine are always paired together, while guanine and cytosine are always paired together.

But how does DNA make our body work? Well, that's where RNA (ribonucleic acid) comes in! DNA commands the cell to make RNA, which is threaded through a ribosome, an organelle in the cell. The ribosome then makes proteins according to what the RNA says, and that determines your body traits! Cool, right?

One of the reasons we know about the shape of DNA is because of James Watson and Francis Crick, who made the first correct double-helix model using an x-ray image taken by Rosalind Franklin.

Now for how DNA replicates. The DNA molecule splits down the middle, and new halves on the inner side form. Eventually the DNA splits completely, and there are now two DNA molecules.

Well, that's all for today guys, bye!

Links:
Free BrainPOP Video
DNA Animated Gif
DNA Replication Animated Gif