Learn: Escape the Cell
DNA is a set of written instructions organized as a sequence of letters that tells cells how to build the molecules and molecular machines needed for life. Some parts of DNA also help control when, where, and how those instructions are used, often in ways scientists are still working to understand.
Through these resources, participants can see, manipulate, and even read DNA to better understand what makes it so powerful and essential to living systems.
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What Are Nucleic Acids?
Nucleic acids are the fundamental units of information transfer in biological systems. From bacteria to humans, hereditary information is passed from parent to offspring through deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). Even viruses—whose status as living or non-living is still up for debate—communicate their replication instructions through DNA or ribonucleic acids (RNA). The structure of the DNA double helix has a famous history and a shape recognizable to people around the world. And while we don’t usually think about the nucleic acids in our food, all living things have it so we consume it all the time!
What Are Proteins?
Proteins are biomacromolecules that are complex in structure and function. They are an essential component of a balanced diet, a miracle molecule for food structure and texture, and the workhorses of much of our digestion and metabolism…among many other functions! We will study protein structure in terms of the bonds and different types of intermolecular forces that all contribute to a final, functional protein structure.