History of DNAHave you ever wondered “why are my eyes this color?” » Have you wondered why you look like this? All of your physical characteristics come from our genetics. These genes are family traits that are passed down through our individual lineage. All these individualities come from what are considered the fundamental elements of life, DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid is the scientific name for DNA (SITE). A Swiss medical student named Johann Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA in 1868 (SITE). Miescher was investigating white blood cells in pus from a surgical wound. It was there, in these white blood cells, that he found the “textbook hot” that defines what we look like. It is important to note that DNA is present in every living creature. The discovery of DNA is not new to science, but what do we really know about it? Even though Miescher discovered DNA in 1868, it would be another 80 years before DNA would be considered true genetic material. The medical and scientific communities of Miescher's time believed that DNA was too simple to be considered genetic material. It was not until the 20th century, when James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix using X-rays, that DNA was recognized. Watson and Crick further studied the configuration of DNA and learned that the structure of DNA is actually a double spiral. propeller on a pitch of 34 degrees (Hallick, 1995). This double helix structure consists of alternating sugar and phosphate bonds. Hydrogen holds these sugar and phosphate bonds together. The four bases adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine attach to sugar/phosphate bonds to form a complete nucleotide (Simon & Dickey, 2012). The nucleotoid repeats itself creating a...... middle of paper...... nucleic acid (DNA). (June 13, 2012). Retrieved from https://www.genome.gov/25520880Diseases and conditions COPD. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/basics/definition/con-20032017Hallick, R. (1995). Introduction to the structure of DNA. Retrieved from http://www.blc.arizona.edu/molecular_graphics/dna_structure/dna_tutorial.htmlProtein synthesis. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/584proteinsyn.htmlMoss, T. (2001). DNA-protein interactions: principles and protocols. Totowa, NJ: Humana PressRole of enzymes in biochemical reactions. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/570enzymes.htmlSimon; Reception ; Dickey, E. (2012). Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology [VitalSouce library version]. Retrieved from http://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/books/9781256902089/id/ch04bx3