DNA and Genetics Basics
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, and it's basically the instruction manual for building you! This amazing chemical forms your genes and exists as a polymer made of two strands twisted together in a famous shape called the double helix.
Here's something mind-blowing: if you stretched out all the DNA from just one of your cells, it would reach about 1 metre long. Your body manages to pack all this information into tiny spaces by coiling the DNA into 46 sections called chromosomes.
You actually only have 23 different types of chromosomes, but you get two copies of each - one from your mum and one from your dad. The 23rd pair is special because these are the sex chromosomes that determine whether you're biologically male or female. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).
Quick Tip: Remember that a gene is just a small section of DNA that codes for specific proteins, whilst your genome is your entire set of genetic material - and it's completely unique to you (unless you're an identical twin)!