The basic double helix model for DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, contains the four nitrogenous bases such as adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. These four base pairs that come together, A only with T and C only with G, contain the genetic code in all living organisms. As it says in my Anatomy and Physiology textbook, DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, is what forms the genetic material for every human being. Not only do these genes determine our traits, but also they pass on hereditary information when a cell divides.
According to the March 19th 2013, article How Proteins Read Meta DNA Code, scientists have developed more information about how to read DNA code. Scientists have found an actual second layer of code to read in the DNA. This second layer is found to be a mechanical code written down in the base pair sequence. They have created a computerized model of the nucleosome, and they introduced binding sites to the protein core. This model helped scientist when understanding of the sliding mechanism along the base pairs and the consequences of missing or extra pairs found within the DNA. The hereditary information passed along in DNA is complex and new developments in reading the code are helpful in learning how to evaluate and treat consequences of altered hereditary information in cell division.
More and more knowledge and information has been obtained about the make-up of DNA and how it affects each person’s hereditary traits. Missing or extra pieces of the code alter the traits of individuals causing hereditary and congenital defects in varying degrees of severity. Increased knowledge of these little morsels of genetic material and the mechanisms by which they work can lead to discoveries of treatments or corrections of a multitude of defects such as Down Syndrome. Many families are impacted with a variety of DNA related defects from either extra, missing, or moved or altered genes in the DNA received from their parents. More understanding can lead to more testing and possibly more treatments for these individuals with altered traits during cell division.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130319091256.htm
Springer Science+Business Media. “How proteins read meta DNA code.” ScienceDaily, 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 13 Sep. 2013.
Tortora, Gerard J and Derrickson, Bryan. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 13th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011. 13 Sep. 2013.