Dna: The Thread Of Life :: essays research papers

desoxyribonucleic acid The Thread of Life     The "thread of life", is deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise known as DNA.It is the spiral shaped mite found in the nucleus of cells. Scientists haveknown since 1952 that DNA is the basic substance of heredity. This washypothesized, and later confirmed by James D. Watson and Francis Crick. Theyalso know that it acts give care a biological computer program over 3 billion bitslong that "spells" out instructions for making the basic building blocks of life.DNA carries the bodies inherited code, controls the development of an embryo,is capable of duplicating itself, and is able to repair damage to itself. DNA groundwork be manipulated to change all kinds of things.     All DNA molecules consist of a united series of unites callednucleotides. Each DNA nucleotide is composed of 3 subunits a 5 carbon sugarcalled deoxyribose, a phosphate group that is joined to angiotensin-converting enzy me end of the sugarmolecule, and one of several different nitrogenous bases linked to the oppositeend of the deoxyribose. There are 4 nitrogen bases called adenine, guanine,thymine, and cytosine. In DNA adenine pairs with thymine and guanine withcytosine.     Medicines ability to diagnose continues to exceed its ability to treator cure. For example, Huntingtons Chorea is an inherited disease that developsbetween the ages of 30 and 45, can be diagnosed before any symptoms appear.This can be hard for both the individuals with the disease and their family.     There is a 3 billion dollar project current right now called the HumanGenome Project, a 15 year program to make a detailed map of every single gene inhuman DNA. With automated cloning equipment to steer scientists through the DNA,scientists are finding human genes at the rate of more than one a day. This maynot sound same very much but as technology increases the rate at finding themwill increase. Since January 1993 to January 1994 scientists have located thegenes for Huntingtons disease, Lou Gehrigs disease, and the "bubble-boy"disease. Scientists are evaluate to find the first breast cancer gene any weeknow.     Even with the best tools of today, the progress is full of surprises.Human DNA is not like that of plants, in which the trait of color of a flower isdetermined by one gene. Even the color of a human eye can have theinteraction of several genes. Some complex genes, such as cystic fibrosis, cango wrong in any number of places. Scientists have already accounted for 350places where the cystic fibrosis gene mutates, and more are being uncovered