deoxyribonucleic acid
Sign in to savethumb|right|upright=1.33|The structure of the DNA double helix (type [[B-DNA). The atoms in the structure are colour-coded by element and the detailed structures of two base pairs are shown in the bottom right.]] thumb|Simplified diagram
AI overview
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life in all living organisms, organized in a distinctive double helix structure made up of base pairs. It matters because it stores and transmits the biological information that determines the characteristics and functions of living things.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
45 sectionsContents
- Properties
- Nucleobase classification
- Non-canonical bases
- Grooves
- Base pairing
- ssDNA vs. dsDNA
- Amount
- Sense and antisense
- Supercoiling
- Alternative DNA structures
- Alternative DNA chemistry
- Quadruplex structures
- Branched DNA
- Artificial bases
- Acidity
- Macroscopic appearance
- Chemical modifications and altered DNA packaging
- Base modifications and DNA packaging
- Damage
- Biological functions
- Genomes
- Transcription and translation
- Replication
- Extracellular nucleic acids
- Interactions with proteins
- DNA-binding proteins
- DNA-modifying enzymes
- Nucleases and ligases
- Topoisomerases and helicases
- Polymerases
- Genetic recombination
- Evolution
- Uses in technology
- Genetic engineering
- DNA profiling
- DNA enzymes or catalytic DNA
- Bioinformatics
- DNA nanotechnology
- History and anthropology
- Information storage
- History
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|right|upright=1.33|The structure of the DNA double helix (type [[B-DNA). The atoms in the structure are colour-coded by element and the detailed structures of two base pairs are shown in the bottom right.]] thumb|Simplified diagram
Deoxyribonucleic acid (; DNA) is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are nucleic acids. Alongside proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides), nucleic acids are one of the four major types of macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life.