What is DNA made of?
Grace Watts from Hampshire (Aged 5-14)
Filed under: Answered Big Questions, Biology Big Questions, Judith Sleeman's Big Answers, Molecular Biology Big Questions, age 5-14
What is DNA made of?
Posted on March 14, 2008 by joannarooke
DNA is a double-stranded polymer : a long molecule made from many similar smaller molecules. The small molecules, called nucleotides, that make up DNA each consist of three parts: a five-carbon sugar molecule, a base made from one or two rings of carbon and one or more phosphate groups. The bases (A,T,C and G) carry genetic information as a ‘code’.
The basic chemicals found in DNA are carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and phosphorous.