DNA is perhaps the most famous biological molecule; it is present in all forms of life on earth. But what is DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid?

In short, DNA is a long molecule that contains each person’s unique genetic code. It holds the instructions for building the proteins that are essential for our bodies to function.

At the heart of every cellular organism is a set of instructions encoded in DNA – this set of instructions is the organism’s genome. In humans, our genome is made of 23 chromosomes, which, between them, are made up of over 3 billion ‘letters’ of DNA. We inherit two sets of chromosomes, one from each of our parents, so in total we have 46 chromosomes and over 6 billion of letters of DNA.

Transcription is the process of making an RNA copy of a gene sequence. This copy, called a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, leaves the cell nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, where it directs the synthesis of the protein, which it encodes.

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It is an important molecule with long chains of nucleotides. A nucleotide contains a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate. Just like DNA, RNA is vital for living beings.

The main job of RNA is to transfer the genetic code need for the creation of proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome.

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is synthesized into a product, RNA and consequently in proteins. The genes that are expressed, known as the genotype, can have a major influence on the physical characteristics of cells, which are called the phenotype.

Proteins are organic compounds that contain the element nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Proteins are the most diverse group of biologically important substances and are often considered to be the central compound necessary for life.