DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, serves as the hereditary material in living organisms, carrying the genetic instructions necessary for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms. It is composed of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
The unique sequence of these nitrogenous bases within the DNA molecule forms the genetic code, determining the specific traits and characteristics of an organism. This genetic information is passed from one generation to the next through processes such as DNA replication, where the DNA molecule is copied to produce identical copies for transmission to daughter cells during cell division.
Additionally, DNA serves as a template for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), which plays a crucial role in protein synthesis through the process of transcription and translation. Together, DNA and RNA orchestrate the complex molecular processes essential for life and inheritance.
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