DNA

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DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. DNA is composed of two long chains of nucleotides coiled around each other to form a double helix.

DNA is responsible for the genetic information within our cells that dictate how our bodies develop and function. This information is encoded within the sequence of bases that make up our DNA.

The order of these bases determines the instructions they carry. In humans, DNA is found in almost every cell in the body and consists of approximately 3 billion base pairs.

The sequence of bases in DNA can be used to store a lot of information. This information is like a set of instructions that tell cells what to do. It is like a recipe for making proteins.

Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies. They are used to make our bones, muscles, and skin. DNA instructions also tell cells when to grow and divide.

Changes in the DNA sequence can have different effects on the body. Some changes may have no effect at all. Others can cause changes in the proteins that are made, which can lead to diseases. Some changes can even be passed down from one generation to the next.

DNA is constantly changing, and these changes can be helpful, harmful, or neutral.

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