DNA FAQ
DNA FAQ Q: What does DNA look like? A: DNA is in the shape of a double helix. A double helix looks like a spiral stair case. The steps of the staircase are formed when two chemicals called bases combine together. There are four bases in DNA, A,C,T, and G. When forming the steps only A can combine with T and C can combine with G. Q: How big is DNA? A: DNA is very small; from one side of a step in the double helix to the other side is only 2 nanometers. DNA in our cells is close to a meter long it contains 3,000,000,000 “steps”. Luckily DNA is very thin and folds easily to fit into your cells. Q: How does DNA make copies of itself? A : When your cells divide your DNA divides also, your DNA splits down the middle in to the strands that make up the stair case. As the strands divide they each form a new staircase of DNA. This process is called replication. Q: During replication how does DNA know what order to put the bases in? A: The order of the bases is determined by the strand that splits off from a previous strand of DNA. Because only A can combine with T on the opposite strand and G can combine with C, your DNA knows the order of bases in the opposite strand of DNA it makes. For instance if your DNA splits and the order of the bases is AGCT then the opposite strand it will form a stair case with has to be TCGA. Q: Can I test my DNA to find out things about my family history? A: You can find out your ethnic background, your ancestral origin, you can find people in your family tree, even relatives living in other countries you never knew existed. Start by searching through the DNA database for your last name.
Relevance to our lives : DNA helps to define who we are and how we are different from one another. DNA links us to our mothers and our fathers. We pass our DNA on to our children. You can find out where you came from, your ethnic background and possible relatives all over the world. Take your test at home, DNA Ancestry.
 
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