ADN stands for "Ácido Desoxirribonucleico" (in English: Deoxyribonucleic Acid), commonly known as DNA. DNA is a complex molecule that carries the genetic instructions necessary for life and is found in almost all living organisms. It consists of two strands twisted together in a double helix structure, forming a ladder-like shape. The individual steps of the ladder are made up of four different nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
The sequence of these nucleotides forms the genetic code, which provides instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. DNA stores and transmits this information by allowing the precise replication of its sequence during cell division, and through the process of transcription, where a copy of the DNA is made into a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then carries the instructions to the ribosomes, where the information is translated into proteins.
ADN is an essential molecule in the field of genetics, as it is responsible for genetic variation and heredity. It plays a crucial role in the study of evolution, inheritance patterns, and the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders. Its discovery and subsequent understanding have revolutionized the fields of biology, medicine, and forensic science, among others. ADN is truly the blueprint of life, containing the instructions for the creation and functioning of every living organism on Earth.
