DNA is a Polymer
- DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the chemical molecule that contains the instructions for growth and development of all organisms
- DNA is the genetic material that determines the characteristics of all living organisms
- DNA carries a set of chemical instructions to make all the proteins required for life
- Except for identical twins every person's DNA is unique
- DNA is contained in structures called chromosomes
- In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are located in the nucleus
- DNA is classed as a polymer (a molecule made from many repeating subunits called monomers)
- Monomers are the small basic units that can make larger complex molecules
- In DNA the individual monomers are called nucleotides
- The nucleotides are joined together to form a single long chain/strand
DNA, chromosomes and the nucleus
DNA Forms a Double Helix
- DNA takes the form of a double helix
- Two long polymer chains/strands of nucleotides coil around to make a double helix
- The double helix is a double-stranded spiral
- It is similar to a twisted ladder
The structure of DNA showing the double helix
