The technology related to DNA tests has become very popular. Additionally, in recent times, due to its advancements, it helped us with a criminal investigations, immigration, and paternity tests. No one predicted that this small substance would have such great applications. Even the scientists were astonished by this small particle and its ability to hold so much information about a specie.
Firsts of all, what is DNA?
The abbreviation of DNA is deoxynucleic acid. It is a biomolecule. It is formed by four monomers, Adenine(A), Thymine(T), Cytosine(C), and Guanine (G). The component behind holding all these monomers in a sequence is the phosphate backbone structure. If you are not familiar with biology, it can be quite difficult to understand all this data. Hereditation exists due to DNA and its applications like relationship and paternity testing.
How do we get to know that DNA contains genetic information?
Till the 1930s and 1940s, no one knew the full potential of DNA. However, there were multiple experiments that were applied to the bacteria, and scientists found out that when a bacteria trades its DNA with another one, certain traits are also transferred to another bacterium. Similarly, with the help of DNA tests, it was found that when a virus injects its DNA into the host’s cell, it makes the host cell make copies of the virus. As a result, we get to know that DNA contains information that dictates the cells to do certain actions.
Where does the genetic information is stored?
The four components (A, T, C, and G) bond to become one DNA molecule. Every monomer structure is created from a sugar molecule, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate molecule.
Does DNA change?
A DNA component contains four different nucleotides, and the sequence of these nucleotides in genes compels cells to create proteins. In order to control the production of proteins, genes are switched on and off accordingly. Additionally, epigenetic changes are chemical changes that help to control the genes without affecting the heredity data. These variations seldom include the addition of chemical compounds to the DNA structure that enables the on and off functionality of genes. Similarly, experts have also stated that epigenetic changes affect the DNA structure with t8ime. Additionally, with the help of DNA tests, they also find out that the DNA of a newborn baby is very different from an older person in order to study the effects of epigenetic changes. Scientists observed the most common of these changes, methylation. A methyl group is added to the nitrogenous base to switch off the gene.
In the experiment, DNA extracted from the white blood cell of an old man, and WBCs from a newborn baby were examined. The cytosine methylation was founded in higher quantity in the newborn as compared to the old person. In addition, it was also found by scientists that in DNA that has the same nucleotide sequence, epigenetic changes are unaffected by nucleotide properties. Moreover, it was also observed that differently methylated regions have effects on various genes. DMR changes have been linked with the development of cancerous cells for quite some time now.
As a result, it has been concluded that cytosine methylation decreases with the passage of time as people age. Additionally, with the decrease of such elements, people may develop age-related diseases.
DNA variation and its contribution to evolution:
The epigenetic changes do not have an effect on the species as a wholesome. However, with DNA testing, we found out that the combination of DNA mutation and natural selection is a fact that why we evolved differently from the chimpanzees. Moreover, we have a 95% DNA match with them.
Let us come towards the current time. DNA is a long double helix structure. Some parts of this structure go through epigenetic changes to control genes. Some parts do not have any functionalities, while for the remaining, we do not have any theory. In order to observe the mutation in any organism, we have to observe those parts of the DNA that controls the genes.
In many cases, the mutation has occurred in those cells where it failed to make a perfect copy of its DNA. Additionally, the chances of mutation also come into existence due to external factors like radioactive or chemical elements. In these scenarios, DNA breaks downs due to extreme exposure. However, if the DNA is not repaired at an optimum, the cells get distorted DNA and affecting the functionality of the whole organism.
All of this information is collected with the help of DNA tests. However, the application of DNA technology doesn’t just stop here. With ER of Watauga, you are facilitated with high-end technology that generates authentic and reliable results, whether it’s a drug, relationship, immigration, or paternity testing. Call us now.
