• Question: What are the functions of DNA?

    Asked by anon-196023 to Sebastian, Paddy, Lee, Jennifer, Fiona, Eleanor on 7 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: Fiona Scott

      Fiona Scott answered on 7 Mar 2019:

      DNA is the instruction manual for our cells about how to do everything. They are made up of nucleotide molecules which are a bit like letters. These letters (A, G, C and T) make up words that we call genes, which are the instructions for how to make certain enzymes/proteins. Groups of these genes give the cell instructions about how to make enzymes that carry out every role in our bodies. It is wound up very tightly in our cells (2 m of DNA in each cell!) to keep the instructions safe.

Comments