What is DNA?
DNA is the acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is an organic compound whose molecules contain the genetic instructions that coordinate the development and functioning of all living beings and some viruses.
The main role of DNA is to store the information necessary for the construction of proteins and RNA.
DNA is found in the nucleus of an organism’s cells, inside the chromosomes, minus the red blood cells, which have no nucleus.
DNA segments containing the genetic information are called genes, the rest of the sequence is of structural importance or is involved in the regulation of the use of genetic information.
The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered jointly by the American James Watson and the British Francis Crick in 1953, and nine years later they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
With the exception of univiteline twins, the DNA of each individual is unique, and each human being has two forms of each gene, one that receives from the mother another that receives from the father. Even though most genes are the same among people, some DNA sequences vary from person to person. To know the paternity of a child, the DNA test is done, which will confirm its genetic origin.
Mitochondrial DNA
There is also mitochondrial DNA, which is not found in the nuclei of cells, but in mitochondria. Mitochondrial genetic material is inherited exclusively from the maternal part.
Often mitochondrial DNA allows us to obtain information about the human being, even if it is in an advanced state of degradation.