DNA and Chromosomes

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What are chromosomes?

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Chromosomes are long strands of DNA that contain genes, which are the instructions for making proteins. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs.

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What is DNA?

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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life. It is composed of two strands that form a double helix.

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What is a gene?

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A gene is a specific segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a particular protein.

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What are sex chromosomes?

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Sex chromosomes are the chromosomes that determine an individual's sex. In humans, they are X and Y chromosomes.

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How many sex chromosomes do females have?

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Females typically have two X chromosomes (XX).

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How many sex chromosomes do males have?

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Males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins.

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What is a substitution mutation?

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A substitution mutation occurs when one base pair in the DNA sequence is replaced by another base pair.

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What is an insertion mutation?

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An insertion mutation occurs when one or more base pairs are added to the DNA sequence.

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What is a deletion mutation?

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A deletion mutation occurs when one or more base pairs are removed from the DNA sequence.