What Molecules Make Up a Gene? Understanding DNA and Nucleotides
Discover the molecules that compose a gene, including DNA nucleotides adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, and their role in genetic coding.
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Genes are composed of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which is made up of four types of molecules called nucleotides: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). These nucleotides form the double helix structure of DNA, where A pairs with T, and C pairs with G, coding the genetic information necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of living organisms.
FAQs & Answers
- What are the four nucleotides that make up DNA? The four nucleotides that constitute DNA are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
- How do nucleotides pair in the DNA double helix? In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine (A-T) and cytosine pairs with guanine (C-G) to form the double helix structure.
- What role do genes play in living organisms? Genes code the genetic information necessary for development, functioning, and reproduction of living organisms.
- Is DNA the only molecule that makes up genes? Yes, genes are composed of DNA, which is made up of nucleotide molecules.