What does DNA stand for?
Nearly everyone in the world has heard of DNA, but what does DNA stand for?  DNA is short for
Deoxyribosenucleic Acid. It holds the genetic
instructions for all living things, and even some viruses. The main job of DNA
is holding long-term information called "genes". A person's DNA is the
same in every cell. The same DNA in the blood, as in saliva, skin cells and even
semen.
Some sequences of DNA have structural purposes. DNA consists of two units called "nucleotides" which are made up of sugars and phosphate groups. These two strands run in opposite directions of each other. Attached to each sugar is one of four molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases that encode information; the genetic code. DNA is in the shape of a double helix. DNA Double Helix Structure DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes which are duplicated before cells divide. DNA knows how to make copies of itself through a process called DNA replication. To give a better understanding here is a diagram of a DNA strand. Every person has a unique code of DNA which separates themselves from everyone else with the exception of Identical twins.
A chromosome is made up of DNA and the proteins attached to it. Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), 23 are inherited from the father and 23 from the mother. Every living thing has chromosomes and some more than humans. Here is a list of the number of chromosomes in other living organisms.
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