Description

---

DNA
A chemical compound that can be found in many viruses and all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. DNA is an organic chemical with a complex molecular structure. For the purpose of transmitting inherited traits, DNA encodes genetic information.
Following is a brief discussion of DNA. See genetics for complete treatment: The genetic code and DNA.

Genes and Alleles
DNA structure DNA structure the chemical DNA was first discovered in 1869, but its role in genetic inheritance was not demonstrated until 1943. Learn how Francis Crick and James Watson revolutionized genetics by discerning DNA's structure See all videos for this article DNA structure DNA structure Biophysicists Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins helped James Watson and Francis Crick determine in 1953 that DNA's structure is a double-helix polymer, a spiral of two DNA strands wound around each other. Scientists' understanding of DNA replication and the hereditary control of cellular activities significantly improved as a result of the breakthrough.