What is DNA?

So, DNA….. Deoxyribonucleic Acid Codes for proteins Proteins make us who we are DNA is like the instruction manual for you.

Where does our DNA come from? Half of every strand of your DNA comes from your mom and half comes from your dad. It doesn’t matter who you look like more, you are 50/50 mom and dad!

What if there is a problem with your DNA?

Any change to your DNA is called a MUTATION Mutations can be caused by: Environment Random copying errors Mutations can occur: During embryonic development (result in change in offspring) During your lifetime (usually result in cancer)

FACTS : Everyone has mutations!! Most mutations are uneventful and you never know they are there! Some mutations are negative, and have some negative impact on the organism Some mutations are beneficial and help the organism to be more successful

If the mutation is Beneficial… Whether a trait is beneficial is usually based on the environment Organisms do not get to CHOOSE their genes, and they do not get to CHOOSE their mutations. It is totally random BUT, if your mutation makes you BETTER SUITED TO YOUR ENVIORNMENT, that species is more likely to EVOLVE

The main theme to Evolution is: Better suited individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce than less suited individuals are. Simplified as Charles Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection, or SURVIVAL of the FITTEST

Mutations: The Science of Survival You Tube Video – 48:08 tQms# tQms#