Why is DNA important? DNA is the blueprint of biological life from its inception to its growth and till death. Its discovery has not only revolutionized science and medicine, but it has affected all walks of life; whether they are social, legal, criminal, or inheritance-related.
DNA’s discovery has become important to the extent that it has even influenced a nation’s security parameters/concerns, as scientists have gone all the way to developing biological weapons.
The importance of DNA
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The simplest answer for “Why is DNA important?” is that DNA is a complex chemical that carries genetic information.
DNA dictates life in two manners:
- transfers hereditary information from generation to generation
- controls the production of proteins
DNA even determines the structure of the cell, meaning whether it would be a nerve cell or eye cell, etc.
Human Chromosomes
Human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes (22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes) in every cell, giving a total of 46 per cell. A photograph of a person’s chromosomes, arranged according to size, is called a karyotype. The preparation and study of karyotypes are part of cytogenetics.
Karyotypes describe the chromosome count of an organism and what these chromosomes look like under a light microscope. (Real chromosomes are not colored like this.)
The sex chromosomes (allosome) determine whether you are a boy (XY) or a girl (XX). The other chromosomes are called autosomes (body chromosomes).
Genealogy
Ancestry DNA is a company that offers genealogy testing.
Genealogy, i.e. the study of ancestry, depends on the study of DNA. With the help of verbal and written history and cues from DNA testing, one can trace his ancestors and learn about his family tree. It is so because DNA duplicates itself at cell division (in embryo) and passes on all of its properties to its daughter cells. Thus genetic information gets passed from generation to generation.
In this transfer, Y-chromosomes do not change that much with the passage of time, hence it helps in assessing the true father and grandfather and even the whole family tree. This resolves not only social matters but legal and inheritance matters as well. Genealogy is also useful in determining the biological mother and other relatives. It can even tell if two siblings truly share the same parents.
Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
The study of DNA in genealogy has also shown its importance in detecting hereditary diseases and in working out their cure.
In this transfer, Y-chromosomes do not change that much with the passage of time, hence it helps in assessing the real father and grandfather and even the whole family tree. This resolves not only social matters but legal and inheritance issues as well.
Genealogy is also useful in determining the biological mother and other relatives. It can even tell if two siblings truly share the same parents. The study of DNA in genealogy has also shown its importance in detecting hereditary diseases and in working out their cure.
Forensics
DNA profiling (also known as DNA fingerprinting, DNA testing, or DNA typing) is a forensic technique used to identify individuals by characteristics of their DNA.
When it comes to forensic science and its applications, DNA is an important part of it. It has resulted in many breakthroughs in criminal cases as it can be used to trace the criminals by comparing the DNA samples found at the crime scene with those extracted from the suspects.
Agriculture
DNA’s discovery has proved critical for our agriculture too. Scientists have used this knowledge to improve food products and crops by genetically modifying them and making them more powerful to fight diseases. This way they have increased the magnitude of agricultural production too. Similar technology has been applied by the animal farming industry resulting in improved breeding and stronger built of animals.
This way they have increased the magnitude of agricultural production too. Similar technology has been applied by the animal farming industry resulting in improved breeding and stronger built of animals.
