DNA

by Sydney Grade 6

DNA was discovered in the 1960’s. The discoverer of DNA was important because we use it in many different ways. Without the discovery we wouldn’t know how people look like their parents and family. DNA helps scientists get far in research. This report is on how DNA was discovered.

DNA was discovered by two groups: Watson and Crick and Rosalind and Maurice. Rosalind found that DNA can exist in two forms. The two groups raced to make a model of the DNA structure and eventually create a picture. Watson and Crick made one model, but failed. Rosalind and Maurice weren’t great partners. Maurice was frustrated and was not helping. In January, 1953, Maurice showed Crick what Rosalind had done.

One day Watson and Crick found out that the molecule was made of two nucleotide chains, one going up and the other going down. DNA structure has two peptide chains that are twisted around each other. There is a sugar phosphate backbone on the two chains and there is also a hydrogen bond. The chains in the inside are called the Base. They also have different names like GC, AT, CG, and TA. The amount of genes in each cell is about three billion base pairs. The DNA colors are: G- green, C- carmine, A- azure, and T- tweety bird. DNA is like a spine: it’s long and has support between it like the bone.

Now DNA is used for doctors, investigators, and scientists. DNA is used in finding out who caused crimes, robberies, and killings, etc. DNA is used by a computer and other electronics. DNA helps discover how to detect different diseases. In the future DNA will help improve medicines and crops, and help prevent genetic diseases. DNA will also help lower the cost of medicine. DNA can help us in so many different ways, but it can also affect our environment. There are safety concerns about the abuse of experimenting with DNA. DNA is a very important source of information about your body.

Image source: http://bbruner.org/bitn/br_c1.htm