Stability and Change in DNA

Abstract

Proteins conduct the processes of life. Each protein is encoded in one “master document”, a gene, in the cell’s “library”, the genome. The genome consists of DNA. No cell can function without the proteins that it requires, so it cannot function without its genes, its DNA. If some of the “master documents” are missing or defective the consequences are potentially serious. Every cell must begin with a very accurate copy of its parent’s or parents’ DNA. So it is important for the DNA to be stable, to resist change, otherwise inaccuracies will appear.