So, What is DNA Anyway?

As you read each post in this blog, you should get a great understanding of what the technology of DNA Fingerprinting is, along with how and why it used. Before I begin to explain this amazing technological advance to you all, I think I should start by giving a brief explanation of what “DNA” is first. D.N.A stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. DNA is a chemical structure that forms chromosomes. A piece of a chromosome that dictates a particular trait is called a gene. Structurally, DNA is a double helix, which means that two strands of genetic material are spiraled around each other. Each strand contains a sequence of bases which are also called nucleotides. A base is one of four chemicals (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine). The two strands of DNA are connected at each base. Each base will only bond with one other base, as follows: Adenine (A) will only bond with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) will only bond with cytosine (C). So for example, if one strand looks like this---  A-A-C-T-G-A-T-A-G, then the DNA strand bound to it will look like this---  T-T-G-A-C-T-A-T-C. DNA strands are read in a particular direction, from the top (called the “5” or “five prime” end) to the bottom (called the “3” or “three prime” end). In a double helix, the strands go opposite ways. Now that you have a basic idea of what DNA is and how it is examined, the posts that will follow this one and all the information that I will provide for you should now be easier to understand. I hope you all enjoy this very interesting and informative blog on this subject as much as I do. Please feel free to leave your comments and posts as often as you want. Enjoy!!!