By Garima Bajpai
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material that makes you unique. Found in nearly every cell, it contains all instructions for building and maintaining your body.
Discovered in 1953 by Watson and Crick, DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder. Two strands spiral together, held by bonds between bases forming the famous double helix.
DNA uses just 4 chemical bases: A, G, C, and T. Like a 4-letter alphabet, their specific sequence creates the code for everything about you. Humans have 3 billion base pairs!
The order of bases determines what proteins your cells make. Think of it like letters forming words—change one letter, and you change the meaning. That's how traits are created.
When cells divide, DNA unzips and each strand serves as a template to create an exact copy. Base pairing rules ensure accuracy: A pairs with T, C pairs with G, every single time.
DNA's sequence tells cells which proteins to make, when to make them, and where. These proteins build everything, your eye color, height, personality traits, and how your body functions.
Your DNA is 99.9% identical to every other human, yet that 0.1% makes you completely unique. Amazing, right? Follow for more fascinating science explained simply!