Context
Researchers utilizing artificial intelligence have identified potential cancer-causing elements concealed within the so-called ‘junk’ regions of DNA.
About Junk DNA:
- Refers to regions of DNA that are noncoding and do not directly participate in coding for proteins.
- It comprises of regions of noncoding DNA that are not transcribed into proteins or used to produce RNA molecules
- Their function is unknown.
- Coding vs Noncoding DNA
- Coding DNA: Contains instructions for creating proteins.
- Noncoding DNA: Sequences that do not code for proteins.
- Humans: About 98% of the DNA is noncoding.
- Bacteria: Only about 2% of the genetic material is noncoding.
- Recent study on functional activity in Junk DNA:
- Researchers have found evidence suggesting that junk DNA may have some functional activity.
- Fragments of what were originally non-functional DNA might have acquired a function through a process called exaptation.
- Exaptation refers to the acquisition of a function through means other than natural selection.
About DNA
- DNA is a two-stranded molecule
- Structure is that of a double helix
- Each strand has an alternating backbone of sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.
- Bases: Each sugar has one of four bases attached to it:
- Adenine (A)
- Cytosine (C)
- Guanine (G)
- Thymine (T)
- Base Pairing: Chemical bonds between the bases connect the two strands:
- Adenine pairs with Thymine (A=T)
- Cytosine pairs with Guanine (C=G)
- Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases.
- More than 99% of these bases are the same in all people.
Source:
Medicalxpress.com
Previous Year Question
‘Microsatellite DNA’ is used in the case of which one of the following?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Studying the evolutionary relationships among various species of fauna
(b) Stimulating ‘stem cells’ to transform into diverse functional tissues
(c) Promoting clonal propagation of horticultural plants
(d) Assessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
Answer: (a)
