Without DNA, or deoxyribonucliec acid, the human body wouldn’t exist. The double helix is a model that has two strands of DNA that intertwine to resemble a ladder (Tortora, 56). Each strand  of DNA depends on the other one when replicated, or when it makes a new strand. ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the energy required for DNA to be replicated. However, this ATP can be helpful, but sometimes harmful (University of Bristol). What can cause ATP to be helpful?

In this study, a team monitored a helicase found in a strand of DNA. It was discovered that this specific helicase used ATP to change its shape at the beginning of unzipping DNA. The rest of the process proceeds to without further ATP consumption after the enzymes changes shape.

They were studying how the helicase operates in bacteria, which is likely how they operate in our cells, since all cells use helicases to unzip DNA for repair or replication. This a way natural selection has optimized cellular machinery to conserve energy.

DNA repair is an example of this. This study has pushed science in the right direction of microscopic improvements. I think this article is important for everyone to know since every human being is made up of DNA. Everyone should know how the body is made, functions, and what makes you special because each person has a different set of DNA.

University of Bristol. “Random walks in DNA bacterial enzyme has evolved an energy-efficient method to move long distances along DNA.” Science Daily, 19 Apr 2013. Web. 13 Sept 2013

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson, 2012. Principals of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons