The double helix is the structural configuration of DNA, consisting of two intertwined strands forming a spiral, which encodes genetic information through the sequence of nucleotides. This structure, discovered by Watson and Crick, allows for the replication and transmission of genetic information across generations, underpinning biological inheritance and evolution.

Double Helix

double helix

structural configuration

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in almost all living organisms, encoding the genetic instructions used in their development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. It is composed of two strands that coil around each other to form a double helix, carrying the genetic information in sequences of four types of nucleotides: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine.

two intertwined strands

spiral

Genetic information refers to the data encoded in an organism's DNA that determines its biological characteristics and functions. It is the blueprint for life, influencing everything from physical traits to susceptibility to diseases, and is passed from one generation to the next through reproduction.

genetic information

sequence of nucleotides

Replication is the process of duplicating or reproducing an experiment or study to verify its results and ensure reliability and validity. It is a cornerstone of the scientific method, providing a mechanism for error checking and reinforcing the credibility of research findings.

replication

transmission of genetic information

generations

biological inheritance

Evolution is the process through which species adapt over generations via natural selection, genetic drift, mutations, and gene flow, resulting in the diversity of life forms on Earth. It explains how complex organisms evolved from simpler ancestors and is supported by evidence from genetics, fossil records, and comparative anatomy.

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