Notes from NEET topper
Function of DNA:
The primary function of DNA is to store and transmit genetic information from one generation to the next. It carries the instructions needed to build and maintain an organism. The genetic information in DNA is encoded in the sequence of the nitrogenous bases along the DNA strands.
DNA carries out its functions in the following ways:
-
Replication: DNA can make exact copies of itself through a process called DNA replication. This process is essential for cell division and the transmission of genetic information to offspring.
-
Transcription: DNA serves as a template for the synthesis of another type of nucleic acid called ribonucleic acid (RNA). This process, known as transcription, involves the synthesis of RNA molecules based on the DNA template.
-
Translation: The information encoded in RNA is used to build proteins through a process called translation. Proteins are the workhorses of cells and perform a wide range of functions, from structural support to enzymatic reactions.
-
Gene Expression: DNA controls the expression of genes, determining which genes are turned on (expressed) or off (repressed) in a given cell or tissue. This regulation is critical for the development and function of an organism.
