A DNA primer
3D rendering of a DNA double helix courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto
At-home DNA test kits are exploding in popularity. So much so that experts expect more than 100 million people’s DNA will be part of commercial databases by the end of 2020. DNA data can reveal so much: a person’s hair color, susceptibility to disease, life expectancy, connections to ancestors and more.
To better understand DNA — and what this trove of information means for medicine, criminal justice and cybersecurity — ASU Now partnered with Ask A Biologist, one of the longest-running biology websites dedicated to teaching learners of all ages about the living world.
Glossary of terms
DNA: All of your genes are made of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA lives in the nucleus of your cells, and it is an instruction manual that tells your body how to develop and how to work.
RNA: Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, partners with DNA and works as a messenger to share DNA instructions with cells in your body.
Genetic: Having to do with how genes are passed down from parent to offspring.
Genome: A genome is all the genetic information of a living thing.
Nucleus: Where DNA stays in the cell; plural is nuclei.
Organism: A living thing that can be small like bacteria or large like an elephant.
CRISPR: Stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. CRISPR is a gene editing tool that can remove or replace sections of a DNA strand.
Cas9: An enzyme used in CRISPR gene editing. The enzyme acts like a pair of scissors, slicing DNA.
>>LEARN MORE: Go even more in-depth with the Ask A Biologist tutorial on gene editing and CRISPR.
More stories in this series
More Science and technology
Training tomorrow’s aviation leaders, today
Aviation is an industry defined by constant change. Technology evolves, demand shifts and global events reshape the landscape. Yet one thing remains the same: People still need to fly, and the…
Preparing to ‘future-proof’ your career
The future of work is changing fast. New technologies, artificial intelligence, global health shifts and emerging industries are redefining what it takes to succeed. That’s why ASU is creating…
Yes, your parents may have treated you differently; here’s how it shaped your mental health
If you’ve ever felt that your parents treated your siblings differently than they treated you, you may be right.According to Arizona State University researchers, differences in how parents treat…