Question 1

What is DNA?

Accepted Answer

DNA is like a recipe book that tells our bodies how to grow and work. It has all the instructions we need to develop and function properly.

Question 2

What does DNA stand for?

Accepted Answer

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It’s a big word, but you can just think of it as the special code inside almost every cell in our body.

Question 3

Where is DNA found?

Accepted Answer

DNA is found inside the cells of our body. It’s usually stored in a part of the cell called the nucleus, which is like a little control center.

Question 4

What does DNA look like?

Accepted Answer

DNA looks like a twisted ladder or a spiral staircase. Scientists call this shape a double helix.

Question 5

Why is DNA important?

Accepted Answer

DNA is important because it holds all the instructions that make you who you are. It tells your body how to build and keep everything running.

Question 6

How does DNA work?

Accepted Answer

DNA is made up of tiny parts that work like letters in words. These letters join to form instructions that tell the body how to make proteins and other important stuff.

Question 7

Can DNA change?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sometimes DNA can change, which is called a mutation. These changes can be good, bad, or not matter at all.

Question 8

How is DNA passed from parents to children?

Accepted Answer

We get our DNA from our parents, half from our mom and half from our dad. This is why you might look like your parents or have traits similar to them.

Question 9

What are genes?

Accepted Answer

Genes are parts of the DNA that give specific instructions, like telling the body what color your eyes will be or how tall you might grow.

Question 10

How many genes do humans have?

Accepted Answer

Humans have about 20,000 to 25,000 genes. That’s a lot of instructions for making all the different parts of our body work together!

Question 11

What are chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are like bookshelves that keep your DNA organized. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which means 46 in total.

Question 12

Do all living things have DNA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, almost all living things have DNA, from tiny bacteria to giant blue whales. Even plants and mushrooms have DNA!

Question 13

Can DNA show how we're related to other animals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by looking at DNA, scientists can see how closely related we are to other animals. For example, humans share a lot of similar DNA with chimpanzees.

Question 14

What is a DNA test?

Accepted Answer

A DNA test looks at your DNA to find out information like where your ancestors came from or if you have certain health traits. It's like a detective finding clues about you!

Question 15

What is the Human Genome Project?

Accepted Answer

The Human Genome Project was a big scientific project that mapped out all the genes in humans. It helped us learn a lot about how our bodies work.

Question 16

How is DNA used in science?

Accepted Answer

DNA is used in science to understand health, diseases, and even solve crimes. By studying DNA, scientists can make new medicines or understand illnesses better.

Question 17

Can DNA be seen with the naked eye?

Accepted Answer

You can't see DNA with just your eyes because it's too tiny. Scientists use powerful microscopes to look at and study DNA up close.

Question 18

How is DNA different from a protein?

Accepted Answer

DNA tells the body how to make proteins. Proteins are like the workers that build and repair different parts of your body, following the instructions from DNA.

Question 19

Why do scientists study DNA?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study DNA to learn about living things and how they work. By understanding DNA, they can help improve health and create new technologies.

Question 20

Can DNA be damaged?

Accepted Answer

Yes, DNA can be damaged by things like sunlight or chemicals. But, our cells are pretty good at fixing it so everything keeps working smoothly.

The Structure and Function of DNA - 20 FAQs Explained Simply