DNA
DNA
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="dna"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the double-helix molecule that carries the genetic instructions for development and function in all living organisms.
Detailed Explanation
DNA's double helix structure — two complementary strands wound around each other — enables both accurate replication and repair. The sequence of just four bases (A, T, G, C) encodes all biological information. Humans share approximately 99% of their DNA with chimpanzees, 85% with mice, and even 31% with yeast, reflecting deep evolutionary unity. DNA barcoding uses a standard gene region to identify species from tissue samples.