information from parent to offspring. It was known early into the 20th century that chromosomes, the

material of cells, contained DNA. In 1944, Oswald T. Avery, Colin M. MacLeod, and Maclyn McCarty

concluded that DNA was the basic genetic component of chromosomes. Later, RNA would be proven to

regulate protein synthesis. (Miller, 139)

DNA is the genetic material found in most viruses and in all cellular organisms. Some viruses do not have

DNA, but contain RNA instead. Depending on the organism, most DNA is found within a single chromosome

like bacteria, or in several chromosomes like most other living things. (Heath, 110) DNA can also be

outside of chromosomes. It can be found in cell organelles such as plasmids in bacteria, also in

plants, and mitochondria in plants and animals.

All DNA molecules contain a set of linked units called nucleotides. Each nucleotide is composed of three

things. The first is a sugar called deoxyribose. Attached to one end of the sugar is a phosphate group,

the other is one of several nitrogenous bases. DNA contains four nitrogenous bases. The first two,

synthesis. Proteins control both the cell’s movement and it’s structure. Proteins also direct production

Foresman, Scott. Biology. Oakland, New Jersey: Scott Foresman and Company, 1988.

116) For protein synthesis to begin, the two parts of a ribosome must secure itself to a mRNA molecule.

process could not be completed. RNA is the genetic material of some viruses. RNA molecules are like DNA.

Some topics in this essay:
Grolier Encyclopedia, DNA RNA, Methods Materials, Maclyn McCarty, Watson Crick, DNA Deoxyribonucleic, DNA’s RNA, Francis Crick, protein synthesis, Company Publishers, nitrogenous bases, dna rna, double helix, amino acids, hydrogen bonds, mrna molecule, genetic material, bases dna, sugar phosphate, Foresman Company, grolier encyclopedia 1992, single-ringed pyrimidine compounds, base pairing miller, strands double helix, wm brown company,