Every year on April 25th, DNA Day celebrates the discovery of DNA’s double helix and the advances we’ve made in understanding genetics.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the genetic blueprint that defines how living things grow, function, and pass on traits: it’s what makes you, you. DNA day is the perfect time to take a closer look at what DNA is, why it matters, and how it shapes life as we know it.
This infographic highlights 10 key facts about DNA and offers a glimpse into the complex, fascinating world of DNA and genetics—just a starting point in a field that continues to grow with every new discovery.
References
The infographic was compiled using information from the following sources:
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Desai, Kinjal. “23 Fun Facts about Your DNA.” School of Continuing Studies – University of Toronto, 17 Mar. 2022, https://learn.utoronto.ca/curiousu-blog/curiosity/23-fun-facts-about-your-dna. Accessed 18 April 2024.
“DNA Facts.” illumina, https://www.illumina.com/content/dam/illumina-marketing/documents/landing/stem/DNA%20Facts.pdf. Accessed 18 April 2024.
Cranage, Alison. “Six Unbelievable Things You Probably Didn’t Know about DNA.” Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog, 17 May 2022, https://sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/six-unbelievable-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-dna/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
“The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1962.” NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2024, https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1962/summary/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Pray, Leslie. “Discovery of DNA Double Helix: Watson and Crick.” Nature, Nature Education, 2008, www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/discovery-of-dna-structure-and-function-watson-397/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Bates, Sarah, A. “Base Pair.” Genome.gov, 2019, www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Base-Pair. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
“Human Genome Project.” National Human Genome Research Institute, 24 Aug. 2022, www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genome-project. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Nature Education. “Cells Can Replicate Their DNA Precisely | Learn Science at Scitable.” Nature.com, 2014, www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cells-can-replicate-their-dna-precisely-6524830/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
“What Is a Gene?: MedlinePlus Genetics.” Medlineplus.gov, National Library of Medicine, 17 Sept. 2020, www.medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/gene/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
“Star Ascidian | the Wildlife Trusts.” www.wildlifetrusts.org, www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/sponges-and-sea-squirts/star-ascidian. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Ashworth, Hannah. “How Long Is Your DNA?” www.sciencefocus.com, www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-long-is-your-dna. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Arnold, Carrie “The Non-Human Living inside of You.” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 9 Jan. 2020, www.cshl.edu/the-non-human-living-inside-of-you/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
