Changes

DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of [[cells]], such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called [[genes]], but other DNA sequences have [[structure|structural]] [[purposes]], or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information.

DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints or a recipe, or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of [[cells]], such as proteins and RNA molecules. The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called [[genes]], but other DNA sequences have [[structure|structural]] [[purposes]], or are involved in regulating the use of this genetic information.

 

[[Chemical]]ly, DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate [[group]]s joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-[[parallel]]. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA, in a [[process]] called transcription.

[[Chemical]]ly, DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate [[group]]s joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-[[parallel]]. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA, in a [[process]] called transcription.