Dog DNA is the genetic material that determines a dog's traits and characteristics. It's organized into chromosomes and composed of nucleotides.
Understanding Dog DNA
Dog DNA carries the instructions for building and operating a dog's body. This information is encoded in the sequence of nucleotides within the DNA.
Key Components:
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Chromosomes: Dogs typically have 78 chromosomes. According to the provided reference, these chromosomes are bands of genetic material (DNA) composed of nucleotides.
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Nucleotides: The building blocks of DNA. There are four types:
- Adenine (A)
- Guanine (G)
- Thymine (T)
- Cytosine (C)
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Genetic Code: The specific arrangement and pairing of these nucleotides (A, G, T, and C) determine a dog's genetic makeup.
How it Works:
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DNA Structure: DNA is structured as a double helix, similar to a twisted ladder.
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Base Pairing: The nucleotides pair up in a specific way: Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) always pairs with Cytosine (C).
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Genetic Information: The sequence of these base pairs (A-T, G-C, T-A, C-G) along the DNA molecule provides the instructions for building proteins, which carry out various functions in the body.
Example of Impact
The arrangement of these nucleotides dictates everything from coat color and size to predisposition to certain diseases.