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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 19 January 2008 |
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) - What is it? Why do we need it? Who's got it?
How can I get it? And if I have it what cream or shots do I need to get rid of it!
DNA is a program, a computer program; it's actually an incredibly well built program.
I know I've probably just confused many of you even more, but I'm a computer programmer. I teach computers on a daily basis and though I may not be able to fully explain DNA, I can explain how and why a computer program works and how a computer program is like DNA.
OK let's start with some basics. DNA is a series of little molecules, and these little molecules act like little ones and zeros and these little ones and zeros make a program, but its so much more than just a program. DNA not only programs you, but it has the plans to build you as well! Now this is the really weird part - when I said the DNA is your program, that's not really true, not in a overall sense anyway. DNA actually is the program for the cells in your body. In other words EACH CELL in your body is a working computer with its own power supply, the systems to make decisions depending on inputs and even the ability to make copies of itself where those copies can go on to do other things. All of the cells in your body communicate with each through a network that runs through your body. You are like the Internet! How Weird is that!
So getting back to the DNA. The cells have this program and this program has a lot of little programs which, when triggered correctly, make your arms and legs, eyes and heart. If the DNA is triggered or written incorrectly, the same program can run wrong giving you cancer, Cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders.
We get our DNA from our Mom and Dad, most of our DNA is a combination of both our parents but a few neat parts just come from our just our mom, or just our dad. These are the parts family tree geneticists love because they follow strictly the maternal or paternal lines, so we can trace specific family heritages.
If you have any further questions on this subject please leave me a message and I'll make another posting.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 11 February 2008 )
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