ELI5: dna

// eli5

What is DNA?

DNA is like a special instruction book inside your body that tells your cells how to grow and work [2][3]. It's shaped like a twisted ladder called a double helix, with two long chains wrapped around each other [1].

Why do you have it?

Every living thing needs DNA to know how to be itself—whether you're a person, a plant, or a dog [3]. It's like a recipe that gets passed down from your parents to you, so you look a little bit like them [2].

Where is it hiding?

Almost every cell in your body has DNA inside it, tucked away in a special area called the nucleus [3]. That's why scientists can find out about you from just a tiny bit of your blood or hair!

What does it do?

DNA tells your body how to make proteins and other things it needs to grow, move, think, and stay healthy [2]. It's like having billions of tiny workers with instructions on exactly what to build and how to build it.