Have you ever wondered what makes you you? The short answer is DNA, short for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is the unique biological code you inherited from your parents— half from your mom and half from your dad.

DNA determines almost everything about you, including your hair color, eye color, height, and much more. It may also influence behavior and personality, though this is not totally understood.

Stored in genes inside your chromosomes, DNA is shaped in a double helix (think of a spiral staircase). The total set of genes in your body makes up your genome, which are all the instructions that told your body how to develop before you were even born.

However, not everything about you is determined by your genetics. Your environment and life experiences also shape you in major ways. This is why identical twins can share the same exact DNA but still be very different people.

 

What Role Does DNA Play in Evolution?

DNA changes over time, a process known as evolution. It’s why living organisms today look very different from the way they looked tens of millions of years ago when dinosaurs were still around.

Evolution happens because DNA contains some mutations. This may sound like a bad thing at first. However, mutations can actually help certain individuals within a species adapt to their environments, which are constantly changing. Since those with beneficial mutations are more likely to survive and thrive in challenging environments, they are more likely to produce offspring. Additionally, their offspring who inherited the beneficial mutation are much more likely to survive than those who did not. Over time, these genes will become dominant in the species, which is a process known as natural selection.

While DNA mutations help species adapt and survive, they can also cause them to eventually evolve into entirely new species. However, this process typically takes about a million years.

Want to learn more? Celebrate DNA Day!

 

How to Celebrate DNA Day

DNA Day is a global celebration that commemorates the discovery of DNA, as well as the Human Genome Project, which became the first international research effort to map all the genes in the human genome in 2003. To participate, check out DNA Day’s website for some cool activities and events.