While you can't see the DNA of a banana with the naked eye, it looks like a long, thin, twisted ladder. This ladder is made up of two strands of molecules called deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. These strands are connected by chemical bonds called bases, which form the rungs of the ladder.
DNA Structure:
- Double helix: The DNA molecule resembles a twisted ladder, known as a double helix.
- Nucleotides: The ladder's sides are made up of sugar-phosphate backbones, and the rungs are formed by pairs of nucleotides.
- Bases: Each nucleotide has a base: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T).
- Pairing: Adenine always pairs with thymine (A-T), and guanine always pairs with cytosine (G-C).
Visualizing DNA:
- Microscope: Scientists use powerful microscopes to visualize DNA, which appears as a long, thin thread.
- Gel electrophoresis: This technique separates DNA fragments by size, making them visible as bands on a gel.
- DNA sequencing: This process determines the exact order of the bases in a DNA molecule.
Banana DNA:
Just like all living organisms, bananas have DNA that contains the genetic instructions for their growth and development. The DNA in a banana is organized into chromosomes, which are located in the nucleus of every banana cell.
