Deoxyribonucleic acid, identifiable as DNA, contains genes that are used for the development, functioning and reproduction of a living being.
DNA was first identified and isolated single-handedly by Friedrich Miescher, by separating nuclei from cells, in 1869.
In 1950, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered DNA by figuring out its double helix structure.
DNA is just a fine, spiral coiled thread in the nucleus of every living cell.
The human genome, encoded as DNA, contains 23 chromosome pairs, which is like 500 thousand to 2.5 million nucleotide pairs.
What if it were to be stretched or coiled? Every human being has about ten trillion cells in their body. If all DNA cells are stretched, they can go as far as 744 million miles. Now the moon is only about 2,50,000 and the Sun is 93,000,000 miles away.
DNA can stretch to the moon and back again almost 1500 times, and reach the Sun and come back four times. Furthermore, if it is uncoiled, it can stretch 10 billion miles—going up to Pluto and back, with a total number of 17 trips.
