|
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid )
Genes are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid, also known as DNA. The DNA molecule
is made up of two chains of nucleotides. A nucleotide is made up of a one "base"
chemical (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine), a molecule of sugar and
a molecule of phosphoric acid. (More on base pairs later.)
DNA looks like a twisted ladder. This structure is called a double helix. The
arrangement of the nucleotide molecules gives DNA its helical shape. The sugar
and phosphate molecules form the sides of the ladder. The base pairs are the
ladder rungs (the part you step on).
Next, learn what base pairs are and how they work.
<< Previous Locating
Genetic Information Next
>>
|
