DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material found in humans and most organisms that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of living beings. DNA is located in the cell nucleus for eukaryotic cells like humans, but in the cytoplasm for prokaryotic cells like bacteria. DNA is composed of nucleotides containing phosphate, sugar, and nitrogen bases that form the signature double helix structure. The sequence of these bases determines the organism's traits and functions. DNA analysis has various important applications in fields like genetics, medicine, agriculture, law, and archaeology.

1. IMPORTANCE AND
STRUCTURE

2. DNA
What is DNA?
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary
material in humans and almost all other organisms.
Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same
DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where
it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA
can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is
called mitochondrial DNA or
mtDNA). Mitochondria are structures within cells that
convert the energy from food into a form that cells
can use.

3. WHERE DNA CAN BE FOUND

4. WHERE DNA CAN BE FOUND
Where Is DNA Located in Other
Organisms?
Where DNA is located depends on the
type of organism. If you are a prokaryote
like a bacterium or an archaebacterium,
then your DNA is stored in the cytoplasm
of the cell. For prokaryotes, the cytoplasm
is basically everything inside of a cell.

5. DNA STRUCTURE
DNA is a double helix
formed by base pairs
attached to a sugar-
phosphate backbone.

6. DNA STRUCTURE
DNA structure
DNA is made up of molecules called nucleotides. Each
nucleotide contains a phosphate group, a sugar group
and a nitrogen base. The four types of nitrogen bases
are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and
cytosine (C). The order of these bases is what
determines DNA's instructions, or genetic code.

7. IMPORTANCE OF DNA
Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
One important area of DNA research is that of
genetics and medical research. Due to our discovery
of DNA, our ability to actually diagnose diseases
early on has been vastly improved. In addition, we
have been able to better assess a person's genetic
susceptibility to specific diseases. In doing so, we
have also paved the pathway to formulate brand new
drugs to treat these diseases.

8. DNA is vital for all living beings –
even plants. It is important for
inheritance, coding for proteins
and the genetic instruction guide
for life and its processes. DNA
holds the instructions for an
organism's or each cell’s
development and reproduction
and ultimately death.

9. ON SOCIETY
Determining the paternity a child is possible with the
help of DNA paternity testing processes. It helps in
identifying the parents, and thereby, solving legal
cases.
DNA tests also find their application in the field of
archeology. With the help of these tests, one can
record genetic codes of life forms that are hundreds
of years old. The database of genetic codes and
sequences can be used by researchers for future
references.

10. APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURE
The use of DNA is being made for genetically
modifying important crop varieties. Genetic
modification of crops can be carried out to
make them strong enough to fight diseases,
to increase crop yield, and for many such
purposes. Not only plants, but animal breeds
have also been improved with the help of
genetic engineering techniques.

11. CONCLUSION
DNA is very important for life. It can replicate well,
which means that the next generation will retain the
characteristics of the parents. It is capable of
change, which means that it provides for variation
and was crucial for evolution to occur. It also codes
for proteins that help express genes and traits of the
organism.