What is DNA?

DNA is stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid, and is one of the two types of nucleic acid found in the cells of the human body.

DNA contains all the information needed to create a unique person.

DNA is made up of building blocks known as nucleotides. These components consist of sugars, and one of four bases.

The four bases include: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine.

DNA - Nucleotides

A : Adenine - Matches with T

T : Thymine - Matches with A

G : Guanine - Matches with C

C : Cytosine - Matches with G

In RNA, a different form of DNA, Thymine is replaced with Uracil, and matches with Adenine.

Replicating DNA:

DNA replication is the process of making a copy of a DNA strand, so that other cells may use it to perform different functions. DNA replication uses RNA and various enzymes to recreate a DNA strand.

During DNA replication, the enzyme Helicase first splits the strand in half. Then, another enzyme called DNA Polymerase creates a new strand of RNA, using the original DNA as a template.

The final product is an exact copy of the original product.

What is RNA?

RNA stands for Ribonucleic acid, another version of DNA, however, RNA is a long, single-stranded chain of nucleotides.

Instead of the traditional spiral staircase design, RNA has only one strand, and is created during the process known as transcription.