UNRAVELLING DNA

The genetic world that’s held within our cells

1 NUCLEUS

This is the location in the cell where all an organism’s genetic information is held.

2 CHROMOSOMES

Within each nucleus are 23 bundles of genetic information called chromosomes.

3 HISTONES

These basic proteins support the structure of a chromosome.

4 DNA

The structure of DNA is made up of a twisting double helix with a sugar phosphate backbone.

5 NUCLEOTIDES

Within DNA there is one of four nucleotides, also known as bases. These structural building blocks of DNA are the blueprints of an organism.

6 CODING

Nucleotides form specific pairs – adenine with thymine and cytosine with guanine. The arrangements in nucleotide sequence code for the production of certain proteins.